Authorities Seize 247 Mining Rigs from Illegal Operations in Karachay-Cherkessia

In the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, law enforcement officials have shut down the operations of three cryptocurrency farms. One of these farms was reported to have caused a loss of 4.17 million rubles, according to a press release.

The perpetrator rented a non-residential space on the outskirts of a village and installed 186 mining rigs that operated around the clock. Modifications made to the electricity metering devices allowed for unchecked energy consumption, reported Irina Volk, the official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

A criminal case has been initiated against the suspect on charges of causing significant property damage (part 2 of article 165 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The individual has been placed under a travel restriction and is required to behave appropriately.

In another discovery, police uncovered an underground mining operation located on a rented plot of land near the aul of Erkason, where 25 devices were found.

Additionally, 36 miners were confiscated from a metal shed on the grounds of a livestock farm.

In both instances, the equipment was consuming electricity bypassing the metering devices. Procedural actions will be taken regarding these cases.

It’s worth noting that, according to MTS EnergyTool, the total capacity of mining farms in Russia exceeds 11 GW, but only 3 GW is being utilized legally.