United States v. 391.5873617 in Bitcoin

I. INTRODUCTION

On December 29, 2020, the United States of America (the “government’) initiated this civil forfeiture action by filing a verified complaint against defendants 391.5873617 in Bitcoin (“defendant Bitcoin’’); one 1974 Triumph Commercial Vessel, with California CF Number CF 0788 KC and Hull ID Number C5708 (“defendant vessel); and one California Squid Permit, with number LBT 024 (“defendant permit’) pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6) and 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(A). Dkt. 1 (Compl.”). The government alleges that the defendants are subject to forfeiture pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6) because they represent, or are traceable to, proceeds of illegal narcotics trafficking, or, in the alternative, were used or intended to be used in one or more exchanges for a controlled substance or listed chemical, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 et seg. Id.{ 13. The government further alleges that the defendants are subject to forfeiture pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(a)(1)(A) because they constitute property involved in multiple transactions or attempted transactions in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B)(), or are property traceable to such property,…