Malaysian Police Crush Over 1,000 Bitcoin-Mining Machines Worth $1.25 Million

In July 2021, Malaysian police seized over 1,000 Bitcoin-mining machines worth around $1.25 million and crushed them with steamrollers as part of a crackdown on illegal mining operations in Sarawak.

The devices were confiscated during joint raids between February and April 2021 by the Miri police and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), which put its own losses from electricity theft at around $2 million. Eight people were arrested, with six charged under Section 379 of Malaysia's Penal Code for electricity theft.

The destruction of the machines was intended as a warning to would-be miners in the area, following intelligence reports that miners had connected to SEB's power grid without authorization. Assistant Commissioner Hakemal Hawari noted that this move came after three house fires in the region, which he linked to overloaded and unauthorized wiring.