Cryptocurrency mining equipment valued at more than 5 million baht was seized by authorities in Samut Prakan, Thailand. The equipment was found in two homes where miners were using electricity illegally, costing around 500,000 baht per month.
The Crypto Raid
On Friday afternoon, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) authorities searched two houses in Muang district after suspecting unusual electricity usage. Two MEA-authorized electricians, Chakkrit Phoonsawat (30) and Yothin Termphol (30), filed a complaint with Muang district police against the occupants of two houses for allegedly stealing electricity.
The authorities conducted a raid on the first house, situated in tambon Bang Muang, and confiscated 60 mining rigs worth roughly 3 million baht. Upon investigation, it was found that the house had been illegally consuming electricity worth around 300,000 baht per month.
In a subsequent raid, law enforcement officials conducted a search at a dwelling located in Soi Sap Boonchai 28 in the same area and seized a total of 20 mining rigs and computer equipment worth approximately 2 million baht. As per the police, the residents of the property were unlawfully using electricity that cost around 200,000 baht per month.
Cryptocurrency mining is notorious for its massive energy consumption due to the numerous calculations involved, requiring substantial computing power. It is reported that the production of one Bitcoin can consume up to 150,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
Another Electricity Theft in Massachusetts
This is not the first time that cryptocurrency miners have been caught stealing electricity to power their mining activities. In February 2023, a former facilities worker in Massachusetts was also accused of using almost $18,000 worth of electricity to operate 11 miners that were hidden beneath a school.
During an inspection of the crawl space near the school’s boiler room, the facilities director of Cohasset town, Thailand, observed some dubious items. Further investigation revealed a mining operation that included 11 computers. The suspect, who was already under investigation for three months, was identified and resigned from his position in March.
