Tomáš Jiřikovský, an individual wanted by both the FBI and the Czech National Centre Against Organised Crime (NCOZ), and also pursued by the criminal underworld for stealing cryptocurrency from Nucleus Market.
1. Background: The Bitcoin Donation and Political Fallout
In March 2025, entrepreneur Tomáš Jiřikovský—previously convicted of embezzlement, drug trafficking and illegal arms possession—transferred nearly 500 bitcoin (valued at roughly CZK 1 billion at that time) to the Czech Ministry of Justice. Those coins came from a bitcoin wallet already under police scrutiny due to suspected links to criminal activity . Despite early warnings from opposition politicians about the dubious provenance of the wallet, Justice Minister Pavel Blažek (ODS) accepted the donation, sparking public outrage once the media disclosed the coins’ origins . Under intense political and public pressure, Blažek resigned on 30 May 2025, acknowledging that accepting funds of uncertain origin was politically untenable .
In March 2025, entrepreneur Tomáš Jiřikovský—previously convicted of embezzlement, drug trafficking and illegal arms possession—transferred nearly 500 bitcoin (valued at roughly CZK 1 billion at that time) to the Czech Ministry of Justice. Those coins came from a bitcoin wallet already under police scrutiny due to suspected links to criminal activity . Despite early warnings from opposition politicians about the dubious provenance of the wallet, Justice Minister Pavel Blažek (ODS) accepted the donation, sparking public outrage once the media disclosed the coins’ origins . Under intense political and public pressure, Blažek resigned on 30 May 2025, acknowledging that accepting funds of uncertain origin was politically untenable .
2. Nucleus Market: The Darknet Source of the Bitcoins
Blockchain analysts determined that a significant portion of Jiřikovský’s bitcoins were linked to Nucleus Market—a darknet marketplace operating on the Tor network from 2014 until its abrupt disappearance in April 2016 . Nucleus Market specialised in the trade of controlled substances (including cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis), forged documents (passports, driving licences), hacking tools (malware, exploit kits) and even illegal firearms. At its peak, the platform listed over 25 000 illicit offerings and held an estimated 5 000 BTC (worth around USD 2.25 million at the time) before vanishing—likely as an exit scam by its operators or due to a successful law-enforcement operation . After nine years of dormancy, some of Nucleus’s wallets “awoke” in March 2025, moving vast sums—with a single transaction exceeding CZK 3 billion—immediately drawing the attention of law-enforcement agencies on both sides of the Atlantic .
Blockchain analysts determined that a significant portion of Jiřikovský’s bitcoins were linked to Nucleus Market—a darknet marketplace operating on the Tor network from 2014 until its abrupt disappearance in April 2016 . Nucleus Market specialised in the trade of controlled substances (including cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis), forged documents (passports, driving licences), hacking tools (malware, exploit kits) and even illegal firearms. At its peak, the platform listed over 25 000 illicit offerings and held an estimated 5 000 BTC (worth around USD 2.25 million at the time) before vanishing—likely as an exit scam by its operators or due to a successful law-enforcement operation . After nine years of dormancy, some of Nucleus’s wallets “awoke” in March 2025, moving vast sums—with a single transaction exceeding CZK 3 billion—immediately drawing the attention of law-enforcement agencies on both sides of the Atlantic .
3. Role of the Europe Justice Organization (EJO) and Notification to the FBI
The Europe Justice Organization (EJO), a Prague-based NGO focused on anti–money laundering efforts, conducted a thorough blockchain analysis and in June 2025 formally submitted its findings to the FBI . The EJO’s report showed that some of Jiřikovský’s transactions indeed originated from wallets associated with Nucleus Market . The EJO emphasised that Jiřikovský’s public “donation” effectively exposed his own connection to a major darknet drug bazaar, providing the FBI with clear on-chain evidence to launch a comprehensive investigation.
The Europe Justice Organization (EJO), a Prague-based NGO focused on anti–money laundering efforts, conducted a thorough blockchain analysis and in June 2025 formally submitted its findings to the FBI . The EJO’s report showed that some of Jiřikovský’s transactions indeed originated from wallets associated with Nucleus Market . The EJO emphasised that Jiřikovský’s public “donation” effectively exposed his own connection to a major darknet drug bazaar, providing the FBI with clear on-chain evidence to launch a comprehensive investigation.
4. U.S. Perspective: FBI Investigation and Legal Framework
The FBI had previously targeted Nucleus Market as early as 2014, when agents identified and arrested operators Nathan Gibson and Sean Mackerta while they attempted to convert illicitly obtained bitcoins from Nucleus into fiat currency via Coinbase, dismantling much of the marketplace’s infrastructure . Under U.S. federal law—particularly the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 841–846) for drug trafficking and the RICO Act (18 U.S.C. § 1961 et seq.) for organised crime—handling proceeds from darknet drug sales and facilitating further criminal activities are severe offences punishable by decades in prison . Additionally, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA, 18 U.S.C. § 1030) criminalises the supply of malware or hacking services—commodities openly traded on Nucleus Market . If the FBI proves that Jiřikovský knowingly received and moved proceeds from illicit drug sales, he could face federal charges for money laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956), conspiracy and participation in a continuing criminal enterprise (21 U.S.C. § 848) . Since March 2025, the FBI has been actively monitoring Nucleus wallets, poised to track Jiřikovský’s digital footprint—especially if he sets foot on U.S. soil .
The FBI had previously targeted Nucleus Market as early as 2014, when agents identified and arrested operators Nathan Gibson and Sean Mackerta while they attempted to convert illicitly obtained bitcoins from Nucleus into fiat currency via Coinbase, dismantling much of the marketplace’s infrastructure . Under U.S. federal law—particularly the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 841–846) for drug trafficking and the RICO Act (18 U.S.C. § 1961 et seq.) for organised crime—handling proceeds from darknet drug sales and facilitating further criminal activities are severe offences punishable by decades in prison . Additionally, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA, 18 U.S.C. § 1030) criminalises the supply of malware or hacking services—commodities openly traded on Nucleus Market . If the FBI proves that Jiřikovský knowingly received and moved proceeds from illicit drug sales, he could face federal charges for money laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956), conspiracy and participation in a continuing criminal enterprise (21 U.S.C. § 848) . Since March 2025, the FBI has been actively monitoring Nucleus wallets, poised to track Jiřikovský’s digital footprint—especially if he sets foot on U.S. soil .
5. Czech Perspective: NCOZ and Protikorupční linka Investigations
Simultaneously in Prague, the Czech National Centre Against Organised Crime (NCOZ) opened a criminal investigation into Jiřikovský on suspicion of money laundering, illicit enrichment and possible tax evasion . Available records indicate that only one-third of the March transfer went to the Ministry of Justice’s account; approximately CZK 2 billion vanished into unknown wallets . The NGO Protikorupční linka also filed a complaint, noting that Jiřikovský’s wallet had previously been linked to darknet networks selling cannabis and ecstasy . The Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office in Olomouc is overseeing the case and has seized all documents related to the donation until the origin is fully verified . Should it be proven that the funds were illicitly obtained, Czech authorities may confiscate the entire donation and freeze Jiřikovský’s remaining assets under national anti–money laundering laws and the Czech Criminal Code (§ 253).
Simultaneously in Prague, the Czech National Centre Against Organised Crime (NCOZ) opened a criminal investigation into Jiřikovský on suspicion of money laundering, illicit enrichment and possible tax evasion . Available records indicate that only one-third of the March transfer went to the Ministry of Justice’s account; approximately CZK 2 billion vanished into unknown wallets . The NGO Protikorupční linka also filed a complaint, noting that Jiřikovský’s wallet had previously been linked to darknet networks selling cannabis and ecstasy . The Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office in Olomouc is overseeing the case and has seized all documents related to the donation until the origin is fully verified . Should it be proven that the funds were illicitly obtained, Czech authorities may confiscate the entire donation and freeze Jiřikovský’s remaining assets under national anti–money laundering laws and the Czech Criminal Code (§ 253).
6. Political and Legal Ramifications in the Czech Republic
Justice Minister Pavel Blažek’s resignation intensified public debate over the ethical standards for accepting cryptocurrency donations by the government. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) initially defended the transaction, asserting that “no court had yet established an illegal origin for these bitcoins,” and pledging that “if any wrongdoing is proven, all funds will be returned to the state treasury; otherwise, they will be used for public-interest programmes” . Opposition parties, however, argued that mere suspicion of criminal origin should have barred acceptance. The affair led to legislative proposals imposing stricter rules on government acceptance of cryptocurrency donations, including mandatory forensic blockchain vetting before any acceptance . Meanwhile, NCOZ continues its investigation: darknet money-laundering experts have been summoned to testify, Czech cryptocurrency exchanges have been subpoenaed for records, and cooperation with Europol is underway to trace cross-border transactions .
Justice Minister Pavel Blažek’s resignation intensified public debate over the ethical standards for accepting cryptocurrency donations by the government. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) initially defended the transaction, asserting that “no court had yet established an illegal origin for these bitcoins,” and pledging that “if any wrongdoing is proven, all funds will be returned to the state treasury; otherwise, they will be used for public-interest programmes” . Opposition parties, however, argued that mere suspicion of criminal origin should have barred acceptance. The affair led to legislative proposals imposing stricter rules on government acceptance of cryptocurrency donations, including mandatory forensic blockchain vetting before any acceptance . Meanwhile, NCOZ continues its investigation: darknet money-laundering experts have been summoned to testify, Czech cryptocurrency exchanges have been subpoenaed for records, and cooperation with Europol is underway to trace cross-border transactions .
7. International Implications and Future Outlook
Jiřikovský is believed to be hiding in Asia, possibly in a country without a direct extradition treaty with the Czech Republic . The FBI is expected to request an Interpol Red Notice to locate and arrest him on U.S. charges of money laundering and RICO violations. If apprehended on U.S. soil or extradited by a third country, he would face trial in federal court, where prosecutors would rely on blockchain analysis to prove his role in laundering darknet proceeds . In Prague, court proceedings could drag on for months as Czech courts assess domestic money-laundering charges alongside the political accountability of the Ministry of Justice . Cybercrime experts warn that any delay in capturing Jiřikovský could allow him to liquidate remaining assets or flee to a jurisdiction with weaker financial-crime enforcement .
Jiřikovský is believed to be hiding in Asia, possibly in a country without a direct extradition treaty with the Czech Republic . The FBI is expected to request an Interpol Red Notice to locate and arrest him on U.S. charges of money laundering and RICO violations. If apprehended on U.S. soil or extradited by a third country, he would face trial in federal court, where prosecutors would rely on blockchain analysis to prove his role in laundering darknet proceeds . In Prague, court proceedings could drag on for months as Czech courts assess domestic money-laundering charges alongside the political accountability of the Ministry of Justice . Cybercrime experts warn that any delay in capturing Jiřikovský could allow him to liquidate remaining assets or flee to a jurisdiction with weaker financial-crime enforcement .
Key Takeaways:
- U.S. Involvement: The FBI, having previously dismantled Nucleus Market operators and backed by a robust legal framework (Controlled Substances Act, RICO Act, CFAA), possesses ample grounds to charge Jiřikovský with money laundering and organised crime .
- Czech Investigation: NCOZ’s active inquiry and Protikorupční linka’s complaint empower Czech prosecutors to indict Jiřikovský under national anti–money laundering law (§ 253 of the Criminal Code) and pursue asset forfeiture should the illicit origin be confirmed .
- Political Repercussions: The government’s acceptance of cryptocurrency donations came under fierce criticism, spurring legislative proposals that would mandate forensic blockchain audits before accepting any digital-currency donation .
- International Coordination: An anticipated Interpol Red Notice and cooperation among U.S., Czech and Asian authorities illustrate a coordinated effort to prevent Jiřikovský’s escape and recover funds linked to Nucleus Market’s illicit operations .
Given the complexity of money laundering via darknet markets and the vast sums involved, both American and Czech authorities view this case as a decisive test of cross-border cryptocurrency law enforcement in 2025 and beyond.