Man arrested as part of international crackdown on online crime

The arrest is believed to be part of a concerted international operation against the illicit Silk Road online black market, which has been targeted by police for trading in illegal drugs, weapons and other material.

The man, who was arrested at his home in Johnstown Court in Kilpeddar, was detained at Bray Garda Station and has been charged under the Obstruction of the Criminal Justice Act when Gardai tried to seize a number of computers and USB sticks. The arrest, which came on foot of co-operation with US authorities investigating illicit online trade, is not believed to be related to any child abuse material issues. Similar arrests have been made in the US and Australia.

The Silk Road forum was shut down by the American FBI in early October. The forum’s founder, Ross Ulbricht, was arrested and millions of dollars, held in digital currency Bitcoin, were seized.

Since then, there have been reports of a replacement service for Silk Road, called Silk Road 2.