At Brazil’s border with Paraguay, in Ciudad del Este, authorities have halted an alleged criminal cryptocurrency mining operation that may have caused thousands of dollars in energy theft.
This is reported by the local Public Prosecution Service, which raided last Wednesday evening (12). Since the place was locked, officers broke down the doors to gain access to the shed.
In the establishment that had no records of cryptocurrency operations, several machines were found in full working order.
Paraguayan prosecutor’s office says cryptocurrency mining shed caused more than R$1 million in damages
To the to research against the suspected location started after a signal from the Administración Nacional de Electricidad (ANDE), which noted high energy consumption at the location.
Tax agent Júlio Paredes Duarte, of the Specialized Unit in offenses against intellectual property, treasury and smuggling, was responsible for complying with the order.
ANDE estimates indicate that the site had been in operation for at least a year, consuming stolen energy uninterruptedly. It is not known to authorities if anyone has been arrested in connection with the shed.
In any case, everything indicates that energy theft activities have caused more than BRL 1 million in damage since 2022, affecting local distribution. The representative of the Public Prosecution Service determined the immediate cessation of activities at that location. In this sense, all evidence related to the fact was seized.
Lawyer said that the warehouse belongs to Zuny SRL company
While Paraguayan agents were carrying out the warrants against the mysterious cryptocurrency mining shed, a lawyer arrived at the scene.
According to him, the site is owned by Zuni SRL company and he took responsibility at the time. In consultation with ANDE, it has been confirmed that the company has an energy bill and the situation is still being investigated.
In recent months, several clandestine bitcoin mining facilities and other cryptocurrencies have run into trouble in Latin American countries. This is because, in attempts to operate under the radar of the authorities, and sometimes involving theft of electricity, many warehouses were abruptly suspended from operations.
It is worth remembering that the Paraguayan state energy company asked for a veto of the cryptocurrency law to be passed in the country in 2022, claiming to oppose the legalization of mining in the country. Paraguay has a surplus of energy due to receiving its share from the Itaipu Power Plant, and companies in the crypto market planned to establish themselves in the country to use the resource. However, the project failed and Paraguay has not yet expressed interest in acquiring the companies.
Source: Live Coins
Barry Siefert is an accomplished journalist and author at The Nation View. He is known for his expertise in the field of cryptocurrency, and has written extensively on the topic. With a background in finance and economics, Barry has a deep understanding of the underlying technology and market forces that drive the crypto industry.
