Yes i think there is a relation because of bitcoin nature as an anonymous currency usable online and offline it might have increased some online crimes like cross-continent drug dealing and with no ID's and evidence. And so some criminals had the idea of using bitcoins to use bitcoin in their crimes.
Criminals have been conducting crimes on the internet for a very long time, way before bitcoin was even close to being an idea in satoshis head, people use stuff for uses the inventors never even imagined, a kitchen knife was created to cut fruits and vegetables, meat and other stuff in the kitchen, but unfortunately, it is a very common weapon in domestic disputes.
That is true, an inanimate creation can't do nothing by itself, no one could say if it's evil or good, everything depends the person who is using this, if it's being used for the good or for the evil. Bitcoin is used by both, and it's not Bitcoin fault or its creator fault. Anonymously or not people will continue buying and selling drugs, doing money laundry and many other crimes, also Bitcoin isn't 100% anonymous.