MIRI, July 17: Police had yesterday (July 16) destroyed 1,069 bitcoin machines worth RM5.3 million which involved seizures from February to April this year in the Miri District.
Miri District Police Chief ACP Hakemal Hawari pointed out that the seized bitcoin mining machines was the result of six raids being carried out with Sarawak Energy on premises around the city.
As many as eight suspects were arrested during the raids, out of which six suspects have been charged under Section 379 of the Penal Code for stealing electricity supply and all of them were fined up to RM8,000 and jailed for eight months.
According to Hakemal, all the premises involved were found to have stolen electricity to carry out cryptocurrency mining activities.
He added that the illicit cryptocurrency mining activities have caused Sarawak Energy to suffer a loss of about RM8.4 million in a short span of just three months.
Furthermore, the activities which have been rampant throughout the past six months of this year had also caused three houses to be burnt down due to illegal and dangerous electrical connections.
The police thus advised bitcoin operators to not do any illegal wiring connections as such acts could endanger lives and properties.
Hakemal emphasised that the police together with Sarawak Energy will enhance its surveillance and enforcement operations to detect any illegal electricity connections and crack down on cryptocurrency mining activities especially in Miri District.
He added that the police will not hesitate to take legal actions against the offenders.— DayakDaily
