The Leicester Crown Court ordered the seizure of more than £1.8 million ($2.29 million) on June 8 from a UK individual who was running a multi-million pound drug empire in Bitcoin from the attic of his home.
According to the Harborough Mail, 32-year-old Paul Johnson, a former KFC employee, was running a black market from his home in Leicestershire. Johnson was also sentenced to eight years in prison in February.
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A fake tea business
A graduate in business studies, Johnson posed as a tea merchant to cover his international drug trade.
Authorities detailed that Johnson imported and sold over 180 kilos of heroin, cocaine, LSD, cannabis and ketamine. All of the store’s purchases were made at Bitcoin (BTC).
The local media quoted Judge Martin Hurst, who said the drug dealer generated a total income of approximately £2,183,304 ($2.77 million), but only managed to confiscate £1,837,601 ($2.29 million).
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The state will have to seize the total in three months, as well as other assets, including a Range Rover valued at $25,454 and a $38,560 Nissan Juke, which will be on sale.
The drugs found inside Johnson’s property
The former KFC worker was charged with possession of Class A and B drugs, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, improper importation of goods into the United Kingdom and five counts of money laundering.
Johnson’s ex-wife, Lia Taylor-Walton, was sentenced to two years in prison for her complicity in the virtual drug trade. She was also accused of acquiring property with illicit money.
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Authorities seized drugs on Johnson’s property, including MDMA, LSD, heroin and ketamine pills, as well as paraphernalia.
Cointelegraph reported a study by Crystal Blockchain Analytics on May 19, which revealed that the total value of Bitcoin transferred on the Darknet increased by 65% in the first quarter of 2020, despite a decline in transactions over the same period in 2019.
