UK National Crime Agency officer Paul Choulse is suspected of stealing 50 BTC that had been seized in a criminal investigation, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Authorities report that the crime took place in 2017 during an organized crime investigation. At the time, the stolen BTC was worth approximately £60,000 (~$77,680).

Choulse faces 15 charges, including:

11 counts of concealing, disguising, and converting criminal funds
3 counts of using or possessing illicit assets
1 charge of theft

The officer is set to appear before the Liverpool court on April 25. The CPS emphasized his right to a fair trial and urged the public to refrain from comments or publications that could influence the case.

Previously, U.S. resident Juan Carlos Reynoso was fined for hiding 119.65 BTC. Until the BTC is transferred to a government wallet, he must pay $10,000 per day in penalties.

In January, a British crypto extortion gang was sentenced to a total of 76 years in prison.

In February 2024, Melbourne federal officer William Whittle was accused of stealing 81.6 BTC confiscated from a drug syndicate.