Czech Customs Seizes Ethereum in Drug Investigation
Customs officials in the Czech Republic seized cryptocurrency for the first time as part of an investigation into a suspected drug trafficking group.
Seven suspected drug dealers in the Czech Republic have been buying bulk quantities of drugs on the darkweb to resell throughout the Czech Republic, according to an announcement from Customs. Customs accused the group of regularly purchasing MDMA, LSD, and anabolic steroids on the darkweb for at least five years. In addition to sourcing drugs on the darkweb, the group also produced methamphetamine and cultivated marijuana.
Czech law enforcement executed raids at several apartments owned by the suspected drug dealers
The investigation into the group began in September 2019 with a tip from Europol. The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation–known as Europol–somehow learned that certain darkweb vendors were regularly shipping large packages of drugs to addresses in the Czech Republic. Europol notified law enforcement of the incoming drug packages. Czech Customs picked up the case and investigated the recipients of the drug shipments.
Customs seized steroids and other related contraband.
In January 2021, law enforcement in the Czech Republic executed search warrants at properties associated with the suspected drug dealers. During the searches, police found cocaine, marijuana, hashish, methamphetamine, ecstasy tablets, MDMA, LSD, anabolic steroids, and other undisclosed substances related to the steroid category of contraband. They seized two vehicles and Ethereum worth $35,168. The cryptocurrency, according to the announcement, was part of the proceeds of the suspected drug trafficking conspiracy.
Authorities in the Czech Republic arrested all seven suspects.
The suspected leader of the group kept the majority of his profits in both Bitcoin and Ethereum. He stored the coins in hardware wallets and in digital wallets on a number of mobile devices. Although the suspect seemingly handed over his Bitcoin and Ethereum wallets, the press release only announces the seizure of Ethereum.
Zlatuše Viačková, MSK spokeswoman:
“Three people from the group of accused are threatened with imprisonment for two to ten years. The other three can be imprisoned for one to five years. And the last person with an extended charge is threatened with imprisonment from eight to twelve years.”