Brazilian police raid illegal Bitcoin mining farms suspected of electricity theft and cable theft

Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: Police uncover theft of cables used for illegal Bitcoin mining in DF Original Link: The Civil Police of the Federal District (Polícia Civil do Distrito Federal) launched an operation on Wednesday (7th) to investigate the theft of internet, telephone, and power cables in the core area of Cava Lowland in the Saint Sebastian rural region. According to the investigation, the stolen materials and transferred electricity were used to power cryptocurrency mining equipment, which requires continuous computer operation and consumes a large amount of electricity.

The operation was led by the 30th Police District, which discovered illegal connections causing power grid losses and disrupting or degrading telecommunications services in the area. According to the PCDF, the direct perpetrators of the crime have been identified, but the main suspects are still at large. The police team continues to investigate to apprehend them.

The investigation indicates that the stolen electricity was supplied to crypto asset mining structures, a practice that often draws the authorities’ attention due to its direct impact on public infrastructure when conducted informally.

Although the police did not specify the number of devices found, sources related to the investigation claim that the observed energy consumption patterns are consistent with large-scale mining operations, especially for assets like Bitcoin that require high computational power.

In addition to theft, the PCDF is investigating the possible involvement of other participants and the existence of a broader scheme, with signs of organized crime and money laundering activities related to the destination of resources obtained through illegal activities. The goal is to map the infrastructure supply chain and the commercialization of assets generated from transferred electricity.

The site was examined by a criminology research institute, which conducted a technical investigation to support inquiries. The investigation is ongoing, and if evidence pointing to a more complex criminal structure behind illegal mining in the area emerges, a new phase of operations cannot be ruled out.