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NCA Detective Ordered to Repay £1.8 Million in Stolen Bitcoin

NCA Detective Ordered to Repay £1.8 Million in Stolen Bitcoin

First seen 30 Sep 2026, 18:33 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •September 30, 2026 at 19:29 UTC
  • •Detective Paul Chowles stole £1.8 million in Bitcoin from a dark web drug dealer.
  • •Chowles was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for his actions.
  • •The Crown Prosecution Service secured a confiscation order reflecting the increased value of the stolen Bitcoin.

Paul Chowles, a 44-year-old detective with the National Crime Agency, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for stealing Bitcoin from drug dealer Thomas White, who operated the Silk Road 2.0 marketplace. Chowles stole 50 Bitcoin, initially valued at £60,000, while working on the investigation of White in 2017. The Crown Prosecution Service secured a confiscation order for £1,810,678.93 against Chowles, reflecting the increased value of the cryptocurrency. Chowles attempted to conceal his theft through complex cryptocurrency transactions and was arrested in May 2022 after police linked him to the stolen assets. The case highlights the misuse of authority in law enforcement and the ongoing challenges of cryptocurrency theft.

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Timeline

2022-05
Chowles arrested
Paul Chowles was arrested after police linked him to the theft of Bitcoin from Thomas White.
Mirror
2026-09-29
Confiscation order issued
The Crown Prosecution Service secured a confiscation order for £1,810,678.93 against Chowles.
Aol
2026-09-30
Chowles sentenced
Paul Chowles was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for his theft of Bitcoin.
Mirror

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Common questions

What was the total amount stolen?
Paul Chowles stole a total of 50 Bitcoin, which has been valued at over £1.8 million.
What was Chowles's role in the investigation?
Chowles was a detective with the National Crime Agency involved in the investigation of Thomas White.
What actions were taken against Chowles?
Chowles was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison and ordered to repay the stolen Bitcoin.