The Hague: A major international police operation has uncovered an organised criminal network that allegedly used encrypted online chat groups to plan, encourage and share drug-facilitated sexual assaults across multiple countries. Investigators say the operation exposed a disturbing pattern in which offenders exchanged advice on drugging victims, avoiding detection and distributing images and videos of the abuse.

The investigation, known as Project Medusa, involved law enforcement agencies from seven countries and has so far identified more than 150 suspects and victims. Authorities believe the true scale of the crimes is significantly larger, as many victims were unaware they had been assaulted until contacted by police.

International investigation spans nine countries

Project Medusa was launched in April by police in Germany and the United Kingdom, with support from authorities in the United States, Brazil, Canada, France, Hungary, the Netherlands and Spain. Europol coordinated parts of the investigation as investigators tracked organised groups operating through encrypted messaging applications and private online forums.

According to investigators, offenders used these digital platforms to exchange information about drugs that could incapacitate victims, methods of administering them without raising suspicion and techniques for avoiding law enforcement. Members also allegedly circulated photographs and videos of sexual assaults committed against unconscious victims.

Authorities said the online groups enabled offenders to normalise and encourage abuse while creating a coordinated network that extended across national borders.

Victims often did not know they had been assaulted

Investigators said most victims were women who had allegedly been drugged before being raped or sexually assaulted. Many reportedly had no memory of the incidents and only learned about the abuse after being contacted during the investigation.

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said the accused were often individuals known to the victims, including partners or other trusted people. In several cases, multiple connected offenders allegedly participated in or facilitated the abuse.

Officials warned that drug-facilitated sexual assault remains significantly underreported because victims may not realise a crime has occurred or may struggle to gather evidence after the effects of the drugs wear off.

More than 150 suspects and victims identified

Since the investigation began, authorities have:

  • Identified more than 150 offenders and victims.
  • Opened over 270 new investigative leads.
  • Arrested 57 suspects across participating countries.

Investigators believe additional victims and suspects are yet to be identified as digital evidence continues to be analysed.

Nigel Leary, Deputy Director at the UK’s National Crime Agency, said drug-facilitated sexual assault has evolved beyond isolated incidents into organised criminal behaviour coordinated through digital platforms.

He said the growing sophistication of these networks requires an equally coordinated international law enforcement response.

Encrypted platforms used to organise abuse

Europol said offenders relied on encrypted messaging services, private discussion forums and invitation-only chat groups to communicate.

Investigators alleged that members exchanged practical advice on selecting drugs, concealing evidence and preventing detection by authorities. The groups also reportedly shared explicit material documenting the assaults.

According to Europol, the perpetrators treated victims as objects and, in some cases, subjected them to repeated abuse over several years.

The agency warned that encrypted digital platforms have made it easier for offenders in different countries to collaborate while remaining hidden from authorities.

High-profile cases reveal broader pattern

The investigation follows several widely reported convictions involving drug-facilitated sexual assaults in recent years.

In France, Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2024 after being convicted of repeatedly drugging his wife and inviting dozens of men to rape her while she was unconscious. Fifty other men were also convicted in the case, which sparked international debate about sexual violence and consent.

In Germany, a man identified as Fernando P. received a prison sentence of eight years and six months after being convicted of drugging and repeatedly raping his unconscious wife while recording and sharing videos of the abuse online.

Earlier this year, Zhenhao Zou was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years after being convicted of raping multiple women in the United Kingdom and China. Prosecutors said he used social media and dating applications to lure victims before drugging and assaulting them.

In April, Polish authorities also arrested a suspect linked to an online Telegram group where users allegedly exchanged advice on drugging and sexually assaulting partners.

Authorities urge victims to report suspected assaults

Siobhan Blake, the Crown Prosecution Service’s lead for rape and serious sexual offences in the United Kingdom, described the crimes uncovered during Project Medusa as among the most disturbing she had encountered.

Officials emphasised that victims can belong to any age group, background or community and urged anyone who suspects they may have experienced drug-facilitated sexual assault to contact law enforcement.

Investigators said Project Medusa represents the first international operation specifically targeting organised online networks involved in drug-facilitated sexual abuse. They hope the investigation will expose hidden offenders, encourage more victims to come forward and strengthen international cooperation against technology-enabled sexual crimes.