Police in UK uncovered BTC Mining Operation that uses stolen power
The UK police have been dumbfounded when they were forced to switch perspectives in the middle of their assignment. The law enforcement in the country have raided on a property assuming that it was growing illegal marijuana. But, upon inspection, they were surprised to see that it was not a marijuana farm, but a bitcoin mining establishment. What happens to the discovered BTC mining operation?
Marijuana Farm turned Illegal BTC Mining Operation
The West Midlands Police Department in the UK has received information. It says that an industrial unit in the middle of Sandwell is currently used to house pot plants. After a release of a search warrant, the police enter the property to find green leaves with a strange smell.
They received a lot of anonymous tips. Including those saying that people have been going in and out of the industrial unit at multiple times every day. Furthermore, there were also ventilation ducts and wiring that can be seen from the unit. A police drone indicated that there was a heavy heat source above the property.
In an official statement, the police department elaborated:
“They are all classic cannabis factory signs, but when officers gained entry, they found a huge bank of around 100 computer units as part of what is understood to be a bitcoin mining operation.”
Is the operation legal?
Although this is not illegal, examining things at a deeper level, they steal a lot of power to extract new coins or acquire energy illicitly. Furthermore, the electricity supply particularly to the area has been remarkably “bypassed”. Because of this, all computers and mining equipment have been seized. Also, members of the operation are now in question. There are no official arrests yet as of now.
Jennifer Griffin, a Police Sergeant from Sandwell says that their surprise after discovering that the project was different from what she is expecting:
“It is certainly not what we were expecting! It had all the hallmarks of a cannabis cultivation setup, and I believe it is only the second such crypto mine we have encountered in the West Midlands. My understanding is that mining for cryptocurrency is not itself illegal, but clearly abstracting electricity from the main supply to power is… We will be making enquiries [sic] with the unit’s owner.”
sandwell police sergeant jennifer griffin
The Process of Extraction triggered a Heated Argument
Bitcoin mining has been taking a lot of attention recently. Especially from environmentalists and businessmen who are claiming that it does permanent damage to the planet’s atmosphere. For example, Elon Musk has gone back on his decision to allow bitcoin payments for Tesla goods and services. This is because he has some serious concerns with how to mine the cryptocurrency.
Moments like this could trigger a lot of confusion in the crypto world.
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