Brazilian police uncovered a hidden illegal Bitcoin mining operation at a scrap recycling yard during a routine inspection tied to metal theft and fencing, according to Odaily. Officers seized about 15 ASIC mining machines and three servers, with the equipment valued at more than 200,000 Brazilian reais, or roughly $39,400.
Bitcoin mining itself is not illegal in Brazil, but the case centers on electricity theft. Local utility Cemig estimated losses of around 60,000 reais per month, equivalent to about $11,800, from unauthorized power use linked to the mining setup.
A 37-year-old employee at the recycling yard was arrested on the spot after failing to explain where the equipment came from and not providing invoices. Police said the employee was detained on theft and fencing charges. Authorities also opened a case against a 31-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman responsible for the business, and said they are tracing where the mined cryptocurrency was sent.
Brazilian police found a hidden illegal Bitcoin mining operation at a scrap recycling yard during a routine inspection targeting metal theft and fencing, according to Odaily.
At the site, officers seized about 15 ASIC mining machines and three servers. The equipment was estimated to be worth more than 200,000 Brazilian reais, or about $39,400.
Electricity theft at the center of the case
Bitcoin mining is not illegal in Brazil by itself. In this case, however, the equipment was allegedly connected through unauthorized power usage. Local utility Cemig estimated monthly losses of about 60,000 reais, roughly $11,800.
Employee arrested and business operators investigated
A 37-year-old employee at the recycling yard was arrested at the scene after failing to explain the origin of the equipment and not presenting invoices. Police detained the employee on theft and fencing charges.
Authorities also opened a case against a 31-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman responsible for the business. Police said they are now tracing the destination of the cryptocurrency mined at the site.
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