A recent report has shed light on a significant crackdown by the North Sumatra Police Force in Indonesia. The operation targeted a sprawling Bitcoin mining endeavor across 10 locations, resulting in the seizure of 1,134 Bitcoin mining machines, 11 meters of electrical cable, and various computer equipment.
Irjen Agung Setya Imam Effendi, Chief of the North Sumatra Police, revealed that the organizers of this large-scale mining operation had resorted to manipulating electrical circuits to power the extensive array of Bitcoin mining machines. Effendi pointed out that the tampering diverted electricity directly from the pole, bypassing the proper measurement systems.
Highlighting the extent of the electrical manipulation, Effendi stated, “This is the PLN box. However, the electricity flow inside it is not the proper flow that should enter the box and be measured by the meter. Instead, what they took is the upper part, where electricity is taken directly from the pole and channeled inside.”
The estimated loss due to electricity theft from these 10 locations amounted to approximately 14.4 billion Indonesian rupiahs, equating to nearly $935,666. This incident emphasizes the growing concern surrounding illicit Bitcoin mining operations and their impact on local infrastructure and resources.
