UK Police Seize Bitcoin Linked to Dark Web Markets

The financial investigations unit of Avon and Somerset Police in the UK has identified and seized digital assets worth more than 1.4 million dollars, including 20.21 bitcoin, traced to activity on the illegal dark web markets AlphaBay and Hansa between 2016 and 2019. Detective Anthony Davis of the unit said the case involved a now deceased individual accused of money laundering, and was uncovered by tracing transactions recorded on the blockchain. The seizure is the unit's largest operation since new digital wallet freezing powers took effect in April 2024.