UK Ex-Cop Ordered to Repay Over $2.4 Million in Stolen Bitcoin

A former National Crime Agency (NCA) officer has been ordered to repay over $2.4 million after stealing 50 Bitcoin from a wallet seized during an investigation into Silk Road 2.0.

Paul Chowles, 44, of Bristol, took the lead on analyzing and extracting cryptocurrency from devices seized in the case, but instead of turning it over to authorities, he moved the coins out of a confiscated wallet and cashed them out through various channels.

The theft was worth around $77,000 at the time, but the 30 BTC that were recovered are now valued at over $1.8 million. Chowles' actions were discovered in 2022 after a search of his home turned up devices holding the private keys.

He pleaded guilty to theft, transferring criminal property, and concealing criminal property and was jailed for five years and six months. The NCA dismissed him on July 11, 2025.