Russian police seize a "truck" mobile crypto mining rig; criminals illegally tapped into residential power lines

BlockBeats News, June 15, according to a report by Russia's TASS news agency, an illegal cryptocurrency mining farm located inside a "truck" was discovered in the Buryatia Pribaikalsky District. The criminals had illegally tapped into a 10 kV power transmission line. This marks the sixth case this year in Buryatia where mining equipment has been used to steal electricity. The "truck" mining farm was found by a patrol team during a routine inspection of the transmission line. Staff reported the incident and called the police. According to the press office, "95 mining rigs and a transformer, with a capacity sufficient to power a small residential area, were found inside the truck. Additionally, two unidentified individuals, possibly the truck drivers, fled the scene in an off-road vehicle."

Due to energy shortages, Buryatia has prohibited cryptocurrency mining in all districts except for North Baikal and Muya from November 15 to March 15 of the following year. During the remaining months, mining is only allowed for companies listed in a specially registered directory. The Buryatia energy department emphasized that illegal connections can lead to a decline in electricity supply quality for local residents, causing voltage fluctuations, grid overload, and potential network failures.