Brazilian police discovered a hidden illegal Bitcoin mining operation during a routine inspection targeting scrap metal theft and resale at a recycling yard. According to Odaily, officers seized about 15 ASIC miners and 3 servers, with the equipment valued at more than 200,000 reais, or about $39,400.
Bitcoin mining is not illegal in Brazil, but the equipment was allegedly connected to stolen electricity. Cemig estimated monthly losses of about 60,000 reais, or about $11,800. A 37-year-old recycling yard employee was arrested on theft and resale charges after failing to explain the origin of the equipment or provide invoices. Police also opened a case against a 31-year-old man and woman responsible for the business and said they are tracking the flow of the mined cryptocurrency.