Spanish police have recently made a significant arrest in connection with the case of Virgil Griffith, an Ethereum developer who violated U.S. sanctions by traveling to North Korea. Alejandro Cao de Benos, a crucial figure who aided Griffith in this endeavor, was apprehended by local authorities in Barcelona under a false identity. This development sheds light on the complexities of international sanctions and the involvement of individuals in such activities.
On November 30, Spanish police successfully located and detained Alejandro Cao de Benos at a train station in Madrid, where he was preparing to travel. However, Cao de Benos was subsequently released without conditions after appearing before a High Court judge on December 1. While an extradition process is said to be pending, it is necessary for the United States to formalize its request and provide documentation to proceed further. Cao de Benos remains confident that he will not be extradited, stating that there is no extradition policy between Spain and the U.S.
Cao de Benos played a significant role in facilitating Virgil Griffith’s illegal trip to North Korea. He is affiliated with the Korean Friendship Association and, allegedly in partnership with U.S. businessman Christopher Emms, organized the blockchain conference that Griffith attended. Additionally, Cao de Benos and Emms are accused of recruiting Griffith and arranging his travel to the country. Moreover, Cao de Benos informed Griffith that North Korea would not stamp his passport in order to conceal his visit. This collaboration extended beyond the conference, as Cao de Benos and Emms purportedly continued to engage Griffith in further blockchain endeavors relating to North Korea.
Virgil Griffith, an Ethereum developer, was arrested in November 2019 for not only violating U.S. sanctions but also providing valuable information to aid North Korea in evading those sanctions and engaging in money laundering activities. He was subsequently convicted in 2021 and received sentencing in 2022. Currently, Griffith is serving his prison sentence. The involvement of Cao de Benos in organizing the conference and orchestrating Griffith’s trip intensifies the legal predicament faced by both individuals.
The arrest of Alejandro Cao de Benos emphasizes the thoroughness of international investigations to uphold sanctions and prevent illegal activities. While the U.S. Department of Justice had already filed charges against him and another individual, an FBI poster indicates that these charges were being prepared since January, before former President Donald Trump’s term ended. The pending extradition process will require solid documentation and a formalized request from the U.S. authorities. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold and whether both Cao de Benos and Griffith will face the consequences of their actions.
The arrest of Alejandro Cao de Benos amplifies the ramifications of violating international sanctions and engaging in illicit activities. By aiding Virgil Griffith in evading U.S. sanctions and traveling to North Korea, Cao de Benos played a vital role in the events that transpired. The ongoing legal proceedings and the pending extradition process will shed further light on the complexities and consequences surrounding such actions. As more information emerges, the implications of this case for international relations and the enforcement of sanctions will become clearer.
