Brazilian police found a hidden illegal Bitcoin mining operation at a scrap recycling yard during a routine inspection tied to stolen scrap metal and fencing, according to Livecoins. Officers seized about 15 ASIC miners and three servers, with the equipment valued at more than 200,000 Brazilian reais, or roughly $39,400. While Bitcoin mining itself is legal in Brazil, authorities said the setup was drawing power illegally. Local utility Cemig estimated monthly losses at around 60,000 reais, or about $11,800. A 37-year-old employee at the recycling yard was arrested at the scene on theft and receiving stolen goods charges after failing to explain the origin of the machines and not providing invoices. Police also opened a case against a 31-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman listed as responsible for the business. Authorities said they are now tracing where the mined cryptocurrency went.
Brazilian police uncovered a hidden illegal Bitcoin mining operation at a scrap recycling yard during a routine inspection targeting scrap metal theft and fencing, according to Livecoins.
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 roughly $39,400. Bitcoin mining itself is not illegal in Brazil, but the machines were allegedly connected to power illegally. Local utility Cemig said the operation caused estimated monthly losses of about 60,000 reais, or around $11,800.
A 37-year-old employee at the yard was arrested on the spot on charges of theft and receiving stolen goods after he could not explain where the equipment came from and did not provide invoices. Police also opened an investigation into 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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