A former officer of the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) has been sentenced to prison for stealing $5.6 million worth of BTC from a dark web drug dealer. This officer, who was supposed to investigate illegal online activities, misused his position to steal cryptocurrency during an investigation into the Silk Road marketplace.
Ex-Officer Steals Bitcoin
The officer, a senior NCA detective, used his access to seize digital wallets during a 2021 Silk Road inquiry. He transferred 50 BTC to his account, thinking the anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies would protect him. However, blockchain analysts spotted suspicious transactions linked to the seized assets.
NCA investigators traced the digital trail back to the officer’s wallet and confirmed the theft through forensic analysis. He was arrested in 2023 after his colleagues noticed problems with the case’s financial records.
In a London court, the officer faced charges of theft and misconduct in public office, and he pleaded guilty to all charges. Prosecutors noted that the value of the stolen BTC had risen to $5.6 million by 2025. The judge condemned the officer’s actions as a “gross violation of public trust,” stressing the harm to the NCA’s reputation.
Court Ruling
He received a seven-year prison sentence, and the court ordered the recovery of the stolen BTC. The ruling is seen as an important step toward reducing corruption in law enforcement. This case highlights the appeal and risks of cryptocurrencies in criminal activities, even among trusted officials.
This case is hardly a stand-alone, as similar incidents have occurred before. Chandrahar SR, a former inspector with the Central Crime Branch (CCB), was accused in 2024 of illegally accessing a BTC wallet belonging to a hacker, which was evidence in an investigation.
Also, a former security engineer, Shakeeb Ahmed, was sentenced to three years in prison for hacking into two decentralized crypto exchanges (DEXs) and stealing crypto assets worth over $12 million. The sentence marks the first-ever U.S. conviction for hacking a smart contract. These cases highlight the need for better oversight and accountability to prevent misconduct in the future.
