German and U.S. authorities have arrested Owe Martin Andresen, the alleged main administrator behind **Dream Market**, a dark web forum that ceased operations in 2019. **Arrest and Charges** On May 7, German and U.S. law enforcement conducted raids at three locations, leading to the arrest of **Owe Martin Andresen**, 49. He faces multiple charges of money laundering. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed an indictment this week, accusing Andresen of being the principal administrator of **Dream Market**. The DOJ has not yet commented on potential extradition requests from Germany, where Andresen also faces charges. U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg stated that Andresen “will be prosecuted in both Germany and the United States as a result of his actions.” He is accused of funneling commissions from illegal activities through cryptocurrency wallets and converting the proceeds into gold bars. **Dream Market's Rise and Fall** According to court documents, **Dream Market** was co-founded by Andresen and others in 2013, eventually becoming a major criminal marketplace. At its peak, the site boasted over 100,000 listings and facilitated the sale of substantial quantities of heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and other illicit substances. The platform operated on the **Tor** anonymity network and utilized cryptocurrency for transactions. A 2019 law enforcement operation led to numerous arrests of online drug dealers, prompting **Dream Market** to announce its shutdown. These raids were part of a broader effort to dismantle the marketplace, leading to the arrest and conviction of several high-level vendors and administrators. While a mid-level administrator was previously arrested and prosecuted in the U.K., the primary administrator remained at large until now. **Following the Money** Post-shutdown, U.S. agencies continued to monitor cryptocurrency wallets associated with **Dream Market**, which remained untouched for years. These wallets held millions of dollars in cryptocurrency derived from commissions paid by customers. In late 2022, Andresen allegedly accessed these wallets, transferring the cryptocurrency to other wallets. He attempted to launder the funds by purchasing gold bars from a company in Atlanta and shipping them to his residence in Germany. Prosecutors allege that Andresen laundered approximately $2 million between August 2023 and April 2025. During last week's raids, authorities seized approximately $1.7 million worth of gold bars and $23,000 in cash from Andresen’s home and other locations. They also discovered bank accounts and crypto wallets containing an additional $1.2 million allegedly linked to **Dream Market**. **Potential Penalties** Andresen faces six charges of money laundering and six charges of international money laundering. He could face up to 240 years in prison for the U.S. charges and up to five years for the German charges. **Recent Darknet Market Takedowns** This arrest follows a series of recent crackdowns on darknet markets. The administrator of another darknet market was recently sentenced to 16 years in prison, while a Taiwanese national received a 30-year sentence for their role in **Incognito Market**. U.S. officials also indicted the alleged founder of **Nemesis Market** last year.