Avon and Somerset Police have seized 20.21 BTC, along with other cryptocurrencies and bank funds totaling £1.03 million. According to the department, the assets belonged to a deceased suspect in a money laundering case and were tied to darknet marketplaces operating between 2016 and 2019.

Biggest Crypto Seizure by the Force Since 2024

The police said this is their largest crypto haul to date since rolling out digital wallet freezing powers in 2024. The new tool lets them quickly lock down suspicious digital assets while investigations are ongoing.

What Was Seized and Case Details

The haul included 20.21 BTC, other crypto assets, and cash in a bank account—altogether worth £1.03 million. These funds were linked to transactions on darknet platforms from 2016 to 2019 and featured in a money laundering case where the main player is now deceased.

Why This Matters for Fighting Illicit Crypto Flows

This case highlights how law enforcement is using new tools to freeze and ultimately confiscate digital assets in financial crime cases. Investigators say the direct connection between the crypto and darknet activity was the reason for the state seizure.