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Bitcoins Seized In Drug Bust

First time accepted submitter Salo2112 writes "In a case believed to be the first of its kind, federal authorities have seized a Charleston man's virtual currency due to an alleged drug law violation with possible links to a shadowy online black market. From the article: 'The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recently posted a forfeiture notice indicating that agents had seized 11.02 Bitcoins worth $814 from 31-year-old Eric Daniel Hughes for allegedly violating the federal Controlled Substances Act. No other details were provided.'"

7 of 198 comments (clear)

  1. Nothing new. by camperdave · · Score: 5, Funny

    They'll have to enter the hash into the court records as evidence.

    Nothing new. I'm sure hash has been on record as evidence in drug cases before.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  2. Re:It was bound to happen by killkillkill · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Most likely it was a sting operation and he sent the funds to an address the DEA had created. There was a transaction for that amount on the day they were "seized" linked to his account. If they seized the wallet on his computer I imagine it would have been more than that.

  3. Re:It was bound to happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    147 hours fucking a horse on a live webcam is more than "a few".

  4. Re:It was bound to happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Surely you mean the moron with Insightful mod?

    "Guy got caught dealing drugs, got his posessions confiscated, there were Bitcoins in there" - "It's because govt hates Bitcoin!"

    FFS, from items in other case in the seizure notice:

    13-DEA-582125, Snap-On Tool Cabinet and Assorted Tools, (1) Snap-On Rolling Tool Cabinet, #:s437254a; (6)
    Assorted Testers; (1) Snap-On 8 piece 1/2" Rachet/Wrench Set; (1) Snap-On 4 piece 1/2" Rachet/Wrench Set; (36)
    Assorted Screwdrivers; (16) Speciality Tools; (32) Assorted Allen Wrenches; (56) Assorted Sockets 3/8"; (22) Socket
    Extensions 3/8"; (1) Adapter 1/2" - 3/4"; (11) Assorted Rachets/Wrenches; (1) Nut Driver 1/4"; (1) Allen Tool Combo;
    (1) Ryobi Drilling and Driving Accessory Kit; (36) Assorted Rachets/Wrenches/Sockets; (5) Assorted Snap-On Tools;
    (4) Assorted Rachet/Extensions; (8) Assorted Vice Grips/Wrenches; (1) Blue Point Rachet Wrench Set 5/16"-3/4";
    (68) Assorted Combination Wrenches; (1) Snap-On Box End Combo 7/8"; (3) Assorted Wrench Sets; (1) Roberts
    Knee Kick Carpet Stretcher 10-412; (1) Snap-On 3x5 Toy Tool Box; (1) Ryobi Temperature Sensor, #:CW1112; (9)

    Government hates wrenches!

    captcha: deluding - it surely knows.

  5. Re:It was bound to happen by __aaltlg1547 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They haven't banned cigarettes due to their being used to fund terrorism. We'll see.

  6. Re:It was bound to happen by cold+fjord · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If people were allowed to trade their own labor or goods without having to invoke the mandatory use of Federal Reserve notes/bits it would be much more difficult for the USA's Federal Government to put a toll on that transaction.

    Yes, we get that Bitcoin is potentially useful for tax evasion. Can you spell out why that is socially desirable?

    Indeed Bitcoin is a competing currency that allows people to bargain directly with one another which the Federal Government would interpret as competition

    People do bargain directly with each other now. The government isn't involved in that. But if good or services are sold, that transaction tends to be subject to taxes, although not always. And that does ignore the underground economy that tends to involve cash transactions.

    I don't think you are showing much of a case here.

    --
    much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
  7. Re:It was bound to happen by fustakrakich · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You don't have to convicted of anything to have your property stolen by the government. It has eminent domain over everything you have, including the corpse you presently occupy.

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”