Topic: [2016-01-26]Lithuanian Law Enforcement Official Warns Terrorists Could Fund (Read 236 times)

Lithuanian Law Enforcement Official Warns Terrorists Could Fund Activities With Bitcoin

The director of Lithuania’s Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) warned that terrorists could use bitcoin to fund their activities in the future, according to delfi.lt, a Lithuanian news site.

The director, Kestutis Jucevicius, said at a press conference in Vilnius that bitcoin can potentially benefit groups involved in trafficking arms, human beings and drugs.

This announcement followed the recent arrest of a Lithuanian citizen believed to be part of a group that laundered bitcoin from the sales of drugs and weapons.

Lithuanian Part Of Crime Ring

A Lithuanian citizen was among 10 people arrested suspected of using bitcoins to “wash” about 20 million Euros (approximately $21.8 million) from selling weapons and drug on the Dark Web.

The Dutch Tax and Customs Service (CIOD) organized the international operation which included the FNTT. The investigation found drugs and weapons being traded on the Dark Web.

In Dark Web transactions, traders redeem virtual currency for cash.

The Lithuanian citizen is an exchange student studying economics. Dutch law enforcement identified this person as one of the most important in the group.

The FIOD raided 15 different locations in the Netherlands in a coordinated operation. The prosecution revealed the seizure of cash, luxury cars, bank accounts and 15 kilograms of ingredients for the manufacture of Ecstasy, CCN previously reported. Altogether, over 250 law enforcement officials participated in the raids.

The suspects, reportedly of Dutch, Moroccan and Lithuanian nationality and in their 20s, are seen as facilitators to drug dealers operating on the Dark Web who launder bitcoins into money

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