Mexican Police Seize 300 GPUs in Hidden Crypto Farm
Police in Puebla state discovered 300 graphics processing units in a remote mountain facility. The operation represents a significant shift in criminal financial infrastructure.
Mexican authorities seized 300 graphics processing units in a clandestine cryptocurrency mining farm. The facility was located in the Sierra Norte region of Puebla state. It operated near a sparsely traveled gravel road in a dense forest. Police detected the site due to high electricity consumption and mechanical noise. The operation included 80 medium-voltage terminals and eight satellite antennae.
This discovery marks the fourth such facility uncovered in the area since early last year. Security analysts describe the setup as a new level of sophistication for organized crime. The infrastructure required technical expertise and substantial funding. Such resources are typically associated with major Mexican cartels. The federal attorney’s office declined to comment due to an active investigation.
Criminal groups expand into digital assets
Organized crime groups are extending their reach beyond drug trafficking. They are increasingly involved in financial crime through cryptocurrency. Illicit cryptocurrency transactions more than doubled in 2025. Addresses linked to criminal activity received an estimated 154 billion US dollars. This figure represents a rise from 59 billion US dollars the previous year. According to GN markets/crypto (en-US) reporting on Chainalysis data, sanctions evasion drives much of this increase.
Energy theft lowers operational costs
Electricity is the primary cost for cryptocurrency mining. The University of Cambridge estimates the cost of minting one bitcoin at nearly 45,000 US dollars. Current market prices for bitcoin hover around 78,000 US dollars. Authorities are investigating whether the Puebla farm stole power from a nearby hydroelectric dam. Experts note that stolen electricity reduces the main operational cost to near zero. This makes the operation highly profitable despite resource intensity.
Remote terrain provides ideal concealment
The Sierra Norte region offers dense forests and scattered communities. This terrain is ideal for hiding large-scale infrastructure. Residents reported hearing the mechanical whirring of the equipment from one kilometer away. The facility was located two kilometers from the nearest village. The isolation allowed the operation to run without immediate detection. The combination of cheap or stolen power and remote location facilitates such illicit activities.
