Mexico Cracks Down on Illicit Crypto Mines Stealing Millions of Dollars in Electricity
Mexico's authorities are cracking down on illegal cryptocurrency mining operations that have been siphoning off large amounts of electricity. The move comes after a secret crypto mine was dismantled in rural northern Puebla, which had been using power from the Nuevo Necaxa dam to operate over 300 computers.
The operation, which was carried out by Puebla's Public Security Secretariat, suspects that the mine may have also helped legitimize and launder profits from other illegal activities. Francisco Sánchez, head of the agency, noted that these operations consume a great deal of energy and generate noise, prompting operators to seek isolated locations.
Meanwhile, in another part of Mexico, prosecutors believe that the murder of Jonathan Meléndez and his family was motivated by a Bitcoin stash worth millions of dollars. Two individuals were arrested on September 2 for their involvement in the homicide.