Mexican Authorities Seize 300 GPUs in Cartel-Linked Mining Farm
Mexican police dismantled a clandestine cryptocurrency mining operation in Puebla state, seizing 300 graphics processing units linked to cartel-funded money laundering.
Mexican authorities seized 300 graphics processing units from a clandestine mining farm in Puebla state. The operation was linked to drug cartels using cryptocurrency to launder illicit funds. Police discovered the site in the Sierra Norte region, where high electricity consumption gave away the location.
The facility contained 80 medium-voltage terminals and eight satellite antennae. This is the fourth such farm uncovered in the area since early last year. Analysts state that cartels have increased the sophistication of their financial crimes beyond drug trafficking.
Illicit Crypto Volumes Surge
Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis reports that illicit cryptocurrency transactions more than doubled in 2025. Addresses linked to criminal activity received an estimated $154 billion. This figure represents a significant increase from $59 billion in the previous year.
Chainalysis attributes the rise to sanctions evasion and payments involving sanctioned governments. Latin American cartels are increasingly adopting crypto transfers to move illicit proceeds. The firm notes that remote locations with cheap or stolen power are ideal for these operations.
Energy Costs Drive Profit Margins
Electricity is the primary cost for cryptocurrency mining. The University of Cambridge estimates the energy cost to mint one bitcoin at nearly $45,000. With current market prices around $78,000, the operation yields substantial profit.
Experts note that stealing electricity eliminates the main operational expense. Mexican authorities are investigating whether the Puebla farm drew power from a nearby hydroelectric dam. If confirmed, the cost of the operation would be near zero.
Remote Terrain Provides Cover
The site was located in bushy forests near scattered communities in the Sierra Norte. Residents reported hearing mechanical whirring from one kilometer away. The isolation provided cover for the infrastructure required to compete in global mining networks.
GN markets/crypto (en-US) reports that the seizure highlights a growing frontier in organized crime. Cartels are extending their reach into financial crime with technical expertise and significant funding. The federal attorney's office declined to comment while the investigation remains active.
