#Man Charged in $5.7 Million Bitcoin Seizure Released on House Arrest in Australia

Jamie Lawrence Powrie, a 39-year-old from Australia's NSW far south coast, has been granted bail with strict conditions following his arrest in a major cryptocurrency investigation. He faces charges related to allegedly accessing $5.7 million worth of bitcoin obtained through illegal dark web activity, along with charges of failing to comply with a digital evidence access order and supplying prohibited drugs of indictable quantity.

#Bail Hearing and Court Conditions

Powrie appeared in Batemans Bay Local Court via video link from South Coast Correctional Centre for a bail hearing. The Crown opposed bail, with Crown solicitor Kirsty MacKinnon arguing the seriousness of the charges. She told the court that prosecutors would allege the cryptocurrency was used to purchase the house where Powrie was arrested at the time of his May 2025 arrest.

The court heard that Powrie's name appeared on the laptops seized during the investigation, and that Powrie and a co-accused were known to each other.

However, Judge Doug Dick granted bail due to the length of Powrie's detention since May 2025, imposing strict conditions including house arrest. Powrie's legal team had emphasized that he had already spent significant time in custody and argued the technical complexity of the case would make it difficult for him to prepare his defense while incarcerated.

#Strike Force Andalusia: Year-Long Operation Yields Major Seizures

Powrie's arrest was part of Strike Force Andalusia, launched by NSW Police in September 2024 to investigate a large cryptocurrency wallet allegedly containing proceeds from illegal dark web operations. As detailed in our previous coverage, the investigation spanned over a year and resulted in multiple search warrants across New South Wales.

The operation led to two significant raids:

#May 27, 2025 – Surfside Operation

Police executed a search warrant at a home in Surfside near Batemans Bay, seizing several electronic devices and approximately 7.2 grams of cocaine. Forensic analysis of the devices uncovered $47,000 worth of cryptocurrency.

#May 4, 2026 – Ingleburn Operation

Following further inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant in the south-west Sydney suburb of Ingleburn, seizing mobile phones and electronic devices. Forensic analysis allegedly uncovered 52.3 bitcoin valued at approximately $5.7 million, believed to be proceeds of illegal darknet activity.

Detective Superintendent Matt Craft of the State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad described the seizure as "one of the biggest cryptocurrency seizures in the nation's history." He stated: "This is a significant seizure: It shows that criminal activity on the darknet is not anonymous. Our detectives are actively targeting those who use darknet marketplaces to trade illicit goods or launder money."

#Next Steps

Powrie is scheduled to appear in court again on July 27 for a case conference. Investigations under Strike Force Andalusia remain ongoing.