The UK is actively using the law authorizing the confiscation of cryptocurrencies in the fight against drug crime

In the UK, a court has sentenced a criminal who received payment for drugs in cryptocurrency. According to prosecutor Matthew Bean, drug trafficker Simon Barclay will spend 9 years in prison. During the search, $ 6 million in cryptocurrencies (including bitcoins) and $ 1 million worth of drugs were seized from Barclay.

As the investigation found out, in order to remain unnoticed, the man sold drugs through the darknet (a network of resources that provide complete anonymity to users) and used pseudonyms. After receiving payment, the trafficker would send the illegal substances by mail. Law enforcement officers detained Barclay near the post office.

The confiscation of crypto assets was carried out in accordance with the law «On Combating the Legalization of the Proceeds of Crime». The seized funds will be placed at auction. This is not the first time that drug criminals who received payment in cryptocurrencies have been prosecuted. Recently, two drug dealers from Washington state were sentenced to 5 years in prison in the United States. The father and son were charged with the illegal production of marijuana and the use of bitcoin for money laundering.