Law Enforcement Must Understand Bitcoin

Police from the U.K city of Leicestershire issued a statement regarding the February arrest of darknet vendor, Paul Johnson, on April 18.

Johnson was jailed for eight years and is believed to have made more than $2.5 million from selling narcotics online.

Leicestershire police officer, sergeant Phil Ariss, stated that “digital media investigators accompanied officers on the warrant,” leading to the seizure of roughly $375,300 in crypto assets.

Phil Ariss has specialized in crypto policing since 2016

Ariss has predominantly dealt with cryptocurrency since he joined the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Cybercrime Team in 2016, and then the National Police Chief Council’s (NPCC) Cybercrime program in 2018.

“As more and more criminals turn to using Bitcoins and other methods of financial privacy, it is important we know what to look out for,” stated Ariss, adding “we regularly train officers and staff about the signs of its usage, denying criminals the opportunity to…