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Crown alleges man accessed $5.7m dark web bitcoin to buy home

Jamie Lawrence Powrie has been granted bail under house arrest after being charged in connection with the alleged possession of $5.7 million in bitcoin linked to dark web activity.

Key Points

  • NSW Police arrested Jamie Lawrence Powrie on May 27, 2025, following an investigation by Strike Force Andalusia.
  • Charges include dealing with the proceeds of crime, failing to comply with a digital evidence access order, and supplying prohibited drugs.
  • Authorities seized 52.3 bitcoin, valued at approximately $5.7 million, during a raid on a property in Ingleburn, Sydney.
  • The investigation, which began in September 2024, also resulted in the seizure of electronic devices and 7.2 grams of cocaine in Surfside.
  • Judge Doug Dick granted bail due to custody delays, with the case scheduled for a conference on July 27.

Why it Matters

This case represents one of the largest cryptocurrency seizures in Australian history, highlighting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to track digital assets linked to dark web crime. The proceedings underscore the legal complexities surrounding digital evidence and the challenges courts face when managing high-value, technology-based criminal investigations.
ABC News (AU) Published by Jacinta Counihan
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