A landmark global operation has identified 156 perpetrators and victims involved in drug-facilitated sexual assaults, Europol announced on Thursday. Seven nations, spearheaded by Germany and the UK, collaborated on the initiative to tackle attacks primarily within intimate relationships tied to misogynist online spaces.
Investigators convened at the National Crime Agency headquarters in London in late June for Project Medusa, where they pinpointed offenders, victims, extremist groups, and fresh investigative angles. The mission uncovered 274 new leads and discovered four previously unknown misogynist online channels operating in the shadows.
Detectives discovered criminal networks where abusers systematically dehumanise and objectify their targets. These groups exploit encrypted messaging platforms, forums, and private chat rooms to share tactics, normalise violence, peddle illegal substances, and plan coordinated attacks.
Project Medusa aims to dismantle internet-based communities facilitating these assaults while strengthening investigative cooperation across borders. Since launching in April 2026, participating countries have made 57 arrests and protected 158 victims through their efforts.
The operation has also spawned 113 fresh investigations into relevant cases. Law enforcement agencies from Germany, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States joined Europol in the probe.
Participating agencies included France's Police Nationale, Germany's BKA and LKA Hamburg, the Netherlands' Politie, Spain's Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil, Brazil's Polícia Federal, the UK's National Crime Agency, and America's Federal Bureau of Investigation. The collaborative effort represents an unprecedented attempt to tackle the problem globally.
