Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime Division, said: “We have authorised Merseyside Police to charge National Crime Agency officer Paul Chowles with 15 offences relating to the alleged theft of 50 Bitcoin, worth nearly £60,000 in 2017, during an investigation into online organised crime.

“Mr Chowles, 42, is due to be charged with 11 offences of concealing, disguising, or converting criminal property, three offences of acquiring, using or possessing converting criminal property and a single count of theft.

A former Co-operative bank director and local councillor was jailed today after previously admitting defrauding a vulnerable friend.

Paul Flowers, 74, abused his power, withdrawing cash and paying for goods and services from a friend’s bank account, before and after she died.

He was jailed for three years at Manchester Crown Court on 27 February 2025.

Jayne Sharp, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: “Paul Flowers appeared to be a pillar of the community as a former Methodist minister, local councillor and bank director.

Robin Weyell, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor said: “The CPS has reviewed a full file of evidence from the Merseyside Police and has authorised the investigation team to charge 12 people with 12 offences related to bribery and misconduct in public office.

Six men have today been jailed for their involvement in an organised crime group (OCG) which laundered millions of pounds.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecuted the defendants following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) under Operation Venetic.

Under this law enforcement operation, EncroChat, an encrypted messaging platform, was infiltrated and incriminating messages from devices linked to organised crime were revealed.

Seven construction company connected insiders have today (4 February 2025) been sentenced for their key role in a £22 million fraud against the taxpayer.