Mexican Cartels' Cryptocurrency Mining Operation Raided by Authorities

Mexican authorities have raided a secret cryptocurrency mining operation in Puebla, seizing hundreds of GPU chips and equipment worth thousands of dollars. The raid comes after investigators found that the mining site may be siphoning power from a nearby hydroelectric dam.

The operation was discovered in the remote mountain community of Tlaola, where authorities found about 300 GPUs, a transformer, 80 medium-voltage terminals, and eight satellite internet antennas. The investigators are now examining whether the cryptocurrency mined at the site was used to hide proceeds from illicit activities.

Security analyst David Saucedo told Reuters that 'drug cartels appear to have reached a new level of sophistication' in running such clandestine sites. Three similar mining sites were discovered in the vicinity last year, and local authorities are working with neighboring states to investigate other possible operations.