Irish Authorities Seize 500 More Bitcoin, Pushing 2026 Total To 1,500 BTC

Ireland’s Criminal Assets Bureau has confirmed the seizure of another 500 Bitcoin, worth about 27 million euros, or roughly $30.9 million, working alongside Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre.

The recovery brings the total Bitcoin seized by CAB so far in 2026 to 1,500 BTC, valued at approximately $92.4 million. Europol provided operational coordination, technical support and decryption assistance during the investigation. Authorities have not disclosed the wallet owner’s identity or further case details.

Follows Earlier Wallet Recovery Linked To Drug Dealer

The seizure comes months after CAB accessed a wallet holding 500 Bitcoin, reportedly linked to convicted drug dealer Clifton Collins. That wallet was one of 12 originally holding about 6,000 BTC tied to Collins, whose private keys were reportedly lost. While authorities have not confirmed a direct connection to Collins in this latest case, a wallet associated with him moved 500 Bitcoin to an unknown address on Thursday.

Wallets connected to Collins still hold about 4,500 Bitcoin, worth roughly $277 million. Collins was arrested in 2017 after police found drugs during a vehicle search and later discovered he had purchased Bitcoin using drug proceeds in 2011 and 2012.