• NSW Police seized 52.3 Bitcoin allegedly linked to darknet market exercise throughout a raid in Sydney’s south-west.
  • Strike Pressure Andalusia used blockchain tracing and digital forensics to attach cryptocurrency transactions to suspects.
  • Two males have been charged following the investigation, which police say highlights rising capabilities in crypto crime enforcement.

New South Wales Police have seized 52.3 Bitcoin valued at roughly AU$5.7 million throughout a raid in Ingleburn in Sydney’s south-west, with authorities describing it as one of many largest cryptocurrency seizures in Australia. The operation was carried out on 4 Could as a part of an investigation into alleged darknet market exercise.

The seizure shaped a part of Strike Pressure Andalusia, an investigation launched in September 2024 after the NSW Police Cybercrime Squad recognized a cryptocurrency pockets believed to comprise proceeds linked to darknet transactions. Earlier inquiries included a raid at a Surfside property, the place detectives seized digital gadgets, round 7.2 grams of cocaine and cryptocurrency price roughly AU$47,000.

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Police alleged the Bitcoin holdings had been linked to the net sale of prohibited medicine and doubtlessly weapons by darknet marketplaces. Investigators stated forensic evaluation of seized gadgets and blockchain tracing helped join on-chain transactions with real-world identities.

A 39-year-old Ingleburn man was charged with allegedly coping with proceeds of crime exceeding AU$5 million, supplying prohibited medicine and failing to adjust to a digital proof entry order after police stated he refused to supply entry to gadgets. A 41-year-old man was additionally charged over an alleged cryptocurrency switch exceeding AU$100,000. Each issues stay earlier than the courts. 

Detective Superintendent Matt Craft stated the case demonstrated that felony exercise performed by darknet platforms might nonetheless be traced by legislation enforcement companies.

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