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BTC 
XMR Mexican authorities destroy illegal cryptocurrency mines in the mountains of Veracruz state
According to Reuters, Mexican authorities have seized a clandestine cryptocurrency mine in the mountains of Puebla state. A total of 300 graphics cards, satellite Internet links, industrial transformers and other equipment were confiscated. The equipment was illegally connected to hydropower stations to obtain electricity. Citing Tom's Hardware, the report stated that the facility near the town of Tlaola was the fourth such illegal site discovered in the area since early last year.
This discovery sends a clear signal that drug trafficking groups are expanding their criminal activities from traditional drug transactions to cryptocurrency mining as a new channel for money laundering.
Operation details of the seized facility
The mine runs on stolen electricity. Residents in nearby communities told Reuters they could even hear the roar of transformers and cooling equipment about a kilometer away. The facility is about two kilometers from the nearest village and is located in a remote location, both to take advantage of low electricity prices and to avoid regulatory attention. Those involved in the raid included Mexican federal authorities, the Navy and local police, but the report did not say how the facility was first discovered.
Drug cartels turn to mining to launder illicit proceeds
Security analysts said the seizure was in line with an established pattern: drug trafficking groups, including the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG) and Sinaloa Cartel, use mining to convert and launder illicit income. Among them, the "New Generation Jalisco cartel" and its armed branch "La Barredora" have the strongest presence in Puebla.
Mexican cybersecurity company SILIKN estimates that the number of cases in which Mexico used cryptocurrency mining to launder money increased by at least 55.8% last year, involving Bitcoin, Monero and Tether. According to data from blockchain analysis company Chainalysis quoted by Reuters, the amount of illegal cryptocurrency transactions last year reached US$154 billion, up from US$59 billion in 2024. Chainalysis attributed the surge in part to circumvention of sanctions.
Security analysts point out that the increasing complexity of these operations shows how quickly criminal groups are adapting to digital assets.
Regional law enforcement strengthened
The raid in Puebla is part of a broader regional crackdown aimed at curbing energy-intensive and unlicensed mining. In Uruguay, Teda-related bitcoin mining plans have suffered setbacks due to energy disputes, while in Oman, the government has mandated state-operated mining pools to steer the industry towards compliant operators. Reuters pointed out that Brazil, the United States and Thailand and other places have similarly destroyed hidden illegal facilities. Analysts expect that cryptocurrency-related criminal activity will continue to rise in the next few years.
