{
  "id": 16036128,
  "title": "Police shut 30 web shops linked to counterfeit pill deaths",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/police-shut-30-web-shops-linked-to-counterfeit-pill-deaths",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T11:35:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DutchNews",
    "slug": "dutchnews",
    "url": "https://www.dutchnews.nl/2026/10/police-shut-30-web-shops-linked-to-counterfeit-pill-deaths/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent operation, Dutch police targeted 30 websites linked to the distribution of counterfeit pills, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. Three men, aged 35, 39, and 66, were arrested in connection with the illicit activity. The suspects, hailing from Kwintsheul, Rotterdam, and The Hague, are accused of selling illegal drugs, including sedatives, sleeping pills, and potent painkillers containing nitazenes. Police assert that the victims purchased the counterfeit drugs from websites such as Slaappillen.net and regionapp.net prior to their deaths. Although Slaappillen.net was previously shut down, the men allegedly continued selling the fake medications through other online platforms that would arise after the takedowns. However, this time, authorities not only shut down the web shops but also confiscated the servers they operated on. Ron van Brussel, a representative at the National Investigation and Interventions Unit, explained that the seizure of servers and data makes it more challenging for the operators to restart their activities. The servers and associated data have been seized for investigation, and further arrests are possible. Searches were conducted in five locations, including residences and a storage box in The Hague, leading to the seizure of crypto wallets, cash, and valuables. Police claim they have now apprehended the key players in the operation, but they emphasize that the illegal drug trade remains active, with multiple criminal groups maintaining such websites.",
  "summary": "Thirty websites were taken offline and three men arrested earlier this week in connection to sites that sold counterfeit pills...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}