(5 January 2026 | Source: Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Financial Monitoring)
In the Kyzylorda region, an investigation into a criminal case concerning the legalisation of income using digital assets has been completed. The investigation alleges that over the course of a year, a group of individuals conducted cryptocurrency transactions, and that, according to law enforcement, some of the funds were linked to the illegal drug trade.
WHAT THE INVESTIGATION ESTABLISHED
As reported by the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Financial Monitoring (AFM), the department's office in the Kyzylorda region has concluded its investigation into the organisation of illegal digital asset circulation and the legalisation of income.
According to the case materials, digital asset exchange operations were carried out on the Binance platform. The total turnover across the cryptocurrency wallets involved in the case exceeded 1.88 billion tenge.
LINKS TO TELEGRAM CHANNELS
The investigation believes that the suspects legalised 603 million tenge obtained from the sale of narcotic drugs. The materials indicate that sales were conducted through the Telegram channels "Fresh", "Butterfly", "CrystalOrganic", "Troutwhite NON kiwi" and "SkittyShop".
No further information regarding the operational mechanisms of these channels is specified in the materials.
HOW THE SCHEME WAS ORGANISED
According to the AFM, the scheme involved an organised network of drop cards registered in the names of foreign nationals. Details about the number of cards, countries of registration, and specific financial transactions are not disclosed in the official statement.
SEIZURE OF ASSETS AND CASE STATUS
It is reported that the suspects used the alleged criminal proceeds to purchase a residential house, an apartment, 5 cars, and to build a family restaurant. A court order has been issued to seize the specified property.
CASE STATUS AND PARTIES INVOLVED
The criminal case has been sent to court. During the investigation, two suspects were placed in custody. In accordance with Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, other information pertaining to the case is not subject to disclosure.