UK Police Seize $1.4M in Crypto Linked to Shuttered Darknet Markets
Avon and Somerset Police in the UK have seized $1.4 million in cryptocurrency and bank funds from an individual who used darknet marketplaces between 2016 and 2019.
The assets were traced to darknet markets that operated during this period, which facilitated crimes such as drug supply and people trafficking.
The police force's financial investigation unit recovered 20.21 Bitcoin, other cryptoassets, and money held in a bank account, with the combined value of $1.4 million (£1,032,487.86).
The individual under investigation had a previous conviction for money laundering and has since died.
According to Detective Constable Anthony Davis, the blockchain's permanent record made it an invaluable source of evidence in this case.
The seizure is the largest recorded by Avon and Somerset Police since crypto wallet freezing orders became available in April 2024.