James Howells, an IT engineer from Newport, Wales, has taken legal action against Newport City Council after spending over a decade trying to recover a hard drive containing 7,500 bitcoins—now worth around $470 million. The council has consistently refused his requests to dig up the landfill where the device is buried, citing environmental concerns.
The $500 Million Mistake
In 2013, Howells accidentally discarded the hard drive at a recycling center. At the time, the bitcoins were worth less than £1 million, but their value has surged over the years. According to court filings reported by WalesOnline, Howells is demanding £495 million ($647 million) in damages, representing the peak value of his lost bitcoins earlier this year.
Howells explained that the mix-up happened when his partner threw away the wrong bin bag after a miscommunication. Initially, he wasn’t too worried, believing he could double-check the bag’s contents later. However, by the time he realized the mistake, the hard drive was already gone.
A Decade-Long Battle for Recovery
Since the incident, Howells has quit his IT job and focused entirely on retrieving the hard drive. He even secured investors to back a £10 million excavation project, assembling a team of experts to ensure a safe and efficient recovery. His plan would come at no cost to the council.
To sweeten the deal, Howells offered the council 10% of the bitcoins’ current value—approximately £41 million today, with the potential to grow significantly if Bitcoin prices rise. Frustrated by the council’s refusal, he said:
“If they had agreed to work with me in 2013, Newport could look like Las Vegas or Dubai right now.”
Despite the financial risks, Howells is determined to continue. He estimates an 80% chance of successfully recovering the data if the hard drive is found intact.
Environmental Concerns Block Progress
Newport City Council has consistently denied excavation requests, citing environmental risks involved in disturbing the landfill. However, Howells argues that his team, which includes the council’s former head of landfill, has devised a plan to safely extract the hard drive. They plan to use artificial intelligence to assist in the search, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Howells acknowledged the emotional and financial toll of his efforts, saying:
“I’ve put everything into this recovery project. My finances are tight, but I can’t walk away. Until the court says no, I’ll keep fighting.”
Despite numerous setbacks, Howells remains optimistic, driven by the chance of reclaiming his lost fortune.
