"Follow the money" anyone ?
https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/22/16009016/alphabay-hansa-dark-web-takedown-tor-bitcoin-drug-marketplaceThis week, police announced the takedown of two of the dark web’s largest marketplaces for illegal goods: AlphaBay and its substitute, Hansa. Through a combination of online and conventional detective work, federal agents shut down these two hubs of criminal trade and arrested the major players involved. It’s a substantial blow to the dark web’s community of consumers, who had taken to AlphaBay, and then, Hansa, after Silk Road 2 went under.
I wonder who will pop up to take over the mantle of "Silk road ver xxxx", it seems clear that as long as vast amounts of money are involved illicit site operators will get caught.