Spanish police raid cryptocurrency mine: confiscate RTX 3080 graphics cards & 21 mining machines

Cryptocurrency mining usually involves some sort of electricity theft and it’s illegal in many regions. According to a recent report from the Spanish police, a marijuana plant raid turns into crypto mining farm discovery. While the police set out to raid the “marijuana farm”, they eventually found out that it was a crypto mining farm. The police seized 21 bitcoin-specific mining machines and equipment worth 13,000 euros.

The mine is hidden in a cannabis plantation in Seville, Spain. Suspicions arose after police found illegal electrical accessories around local buildings. Once inside the building, police found cryptocurrency mining equipment, powerful cooling and ventilation systems, and numerous EVGA RTX series graphics cards, some of which were RTX 3080s.

After the first investigation, the police found that the supporting equipment in this plantation did not meet the characteristics of cannabis cultivation, and it may be an unknown cryptocurrency mining farm. After getting clues, the police searched the plantation and found numerous modern facilities. The police preliminarily estimated that the bitcoins that the gang had mastered were worth about 315,000 euros and could generate more than 2,500 euros in profit per month. The police also found RIG miners, which were worth around 13,000 euros and could generate 1,000 euros of profit per month.

Cryptocurrency mining farm and power theft

Spanish authorities confiscated equipment worth $55,816. Outside the building, there were unauthorized cables connected to the local grid for power theft.

The Spanish National Police report partly reads

“Police investigations began on a possible indoor marijuana plantation that could be located in some stables located in Santiponce. After carrying out inquiries, the agents realized that the existing indications did not correspond to the cultivation of marijuana. Rather, their discovery is that these facilities could be hosting a cryptocurrency farm. There are hardly any records in Spain of cryptocurrency mine in Spain. With this information, the stables were entered and searched, where the agents discovered modern facilities for mining cryptocurrencies”.

The police had to move with 21 ASIC teams and exclusive Bitcoin mining equipment was in the farm. Also, the approximate value of the equipment is above 31,500 euros. Furthermore, this equipment could provide a monthly profit of 2,500 euros. There is also a RIG equipment for mining cryptocurrencies on the farm. The police estimate claims that the value of this device is 13,000 euros. Furthermore, it could generate profits of 1,000 euros per month.

Furthermore, there is an illegal connection to the electricity network outside the building. This mine is drawing a significant about of power from the grid. According to electricity company experts, the mine is stealing electricity worth up to 2,000 euros a month.