Stories like this simply show us cryptocurrency isn't the perfect tool for criminals to deal with, different from what the media tell us. Thieves are constantly getting caught when using crypto for their schemes. Maybe that is because crypto is trackable like everything in this virtual universe, different from paper money which doesn't let any traces on most cases and require deep and long investigations until authorities discover the scheme.

The more criminals use cryptocurrency for their businesses, the easier it's going to be for the police to do their job.

Does this case generalize that Bitcoin is the culprit? of course wrong
Bitcoin was not created for that and there is absolutely no compelling reason for Bitcoin to commit crimes. What if cocaine and drugs were proof that the dealer was caught? is the item to blame? Not

Bitcoin is just a medium by which it is used, and each medium depends on its use. Have you heard that Ukraine accepts Bitcoin donations for humanity?

So Bitcoin can be incarnated with various useful and detrimental functions, depending on the user.

Bitcoin is pseudonymous not anonymous, most of people who doesn't have enough understanding are have higher chance his identity will exposed and the investigator will know who's him.

Although it can be used for criminals, but that doesn't mean Bitcoin is a crime or the main factors of crime isn't? They're just using the Bitcoin advantages, that's all. Even fiat is centralized, but criminals are use it before Bitcoin exist.

It could be, especially for the newbies and those that haven't been around very much. It's the same message the government preach to there unaware citizens and its not helping although, avenues like this on the forum opens the window to some corrections and new ideas.

There are several ways people launder money ranging from buying expensive items, funding company projects ad some foreign nations might even chose to use the dollar. This doesn't make it a dollar crime or a crime of which ever means that was used.

Money laundering is laundering and that is the crime, not the means. People just use which ever is the more Co.fortable with them.

as you say, cryptocurrencies are of great benefit in helping the police to effectively prevent crime, the more criminals use cryptocurrencies, the easier it is for the police to track down and catch them
it's the complete opposite of what the media is spreading that bitcoin and cryptocurrencies make criminals more sophisticated, more complex, this is one of the benefits that the government should consider for cryptocurrencies and early mass adoption of cryptocurrencies, lol

I am happy that the law enforcement is doing their job and going after criminals. The story is very vague because "cryptocurrencies" could've been any coins, and also what they describe sounds like crypto mixers but could have been multiple investments in ICOs or whatever. If it were Bitcoin specifically, I think it would have been mentioned in the article. In any case, the usage of coins for illicit activities doesn't make the currency itself illegal or bad. That sort of argumentation is used unfairly, since it can actually be applied to any fiat, as well as beyond the financial realm (for example, people who make child porn use cameras, so let's ban those).

Bitcoin just becomes the medium, but it does not support anything that would say that using Bitcoin is a crime and is the cause of money laundering. Money laundering even happens outside crypto and I believe there are waaaay too many people doing that more rather than us, crypto user.
Even from scams, Bitcoin is just being used as the currency but it is not entirely the root of all these scams.

the difference being that in fiat. they have had practice of decades to shelter themselves

setting up dummy companies where by the "company" takes the responsibility. not the human running the company.
so because you cant put a business in prison. all they can do is put a fine on the company. and due to certain laws. fines have a limit on what the amount can me.
and thats how they get away with it

in crypto.because some millenial->GenZ has had no proper teachings about off shore accounts/shell companies. and legal entity "person". its easier to tie a human to an action
(however things could be done to change this)

this is why. for instance the clinton foundation can syphon money into the foundation. have no income tax on it because its not a human its a legal entity. then the clintons(humans) as beneficiaries but not owners can spend the money while not taking the responsibility for the fund
(EG they can plead ignorance when they get "donations" from terrorists)

however in crypto. whomever owns/controls the key is the perpetrator of anything bad that happened using them funds
this is usually where people should (not endorsing, speaking common sense knowledge) use multisigs so that it becomes difficult to prove who decided to move funds.
also people can set up coded triggers. that when funds enter X address a automated process is performed to move X to Y so that there is no human facilitating the transfer.
(plus it helps to not announce yourself on github that you coded such processes to facilitate certain tasks)

and other processes to turn a normal bitcoin holding into a off shore shell account style system

People will try to highlight the negative contribution of bitcoin in the market.
They forgot that up until now, fiat is still the leading currency when it comes to illegal stuffs.
This kind of news is a highlight as the money launderers was using crypto.
So it gave negative perception towards bitcoin. But if you educate these people regarding the nature of bitcoin,
they will understand that crypto is just one means in this illegal world of activities.