A National Crime Agency (NCA) officer has been sentenced to prison after stealing nearly £60,000 worth of Bitcoin from a drug dealer under investigation. The cryptocurrency, now valued at
over £4 million, had been seized during a probe into illegal drug sales on the dark web.
Paul Chowles, 42, from Bristol, admitted to laundering 50 Bitcoin he had confiscated from Thomas White in 2022. White, who was later sentenced to five years in prison, had been operating a drug-selling operation online.
The theft only came to light after White, now out on licence, was investigated under proceeds of crime legislation and questioned the whereabouts of the missing Bitcoin. A subsequent inquiry by Merseyside Police led to Chowles' arrest.
He pleaded guilty to theft, transferring criminal property, and concealing criminal property, and was sentenced to five years and six months in prison on Wednesday, 16 July. The NCA has since dismissed him from his role.
Detective Chief Inspector John Black from Merseyside Police’s Force Intelligence Bureau said:
“This case shows, in the clearest terms, that no one is above the law.
Chowles abused his position to enrich himself, believing he could cover his tracks. He was wrong. Our investigation uncovered a trail of evidence proving his guilt.”
During the investigation, officers discovered notebooks in Chowles' office containing account details and statements linked to White’s cryptocurrency holdings. Authorities estimate Chowles benefited by more than £613,000 from his actions. Photo by Jorge Franganillo, Wikimedia commons.