Police have dismantled an illegal crypto mining farm in Santiponce, Spain that was assumed to be a marijuana setup initially, but turned out to be a mining hub with an approximate value exceeding 50,000 Euros.

An official press release (via NotebookCheck) detailing the bust reveals that the farm had an illegal connection to the town’s electricity grid and used elaborate cooling systems, complete with powerful industrial fans designed to clear all of the generated heat.

illegal crypto farm spain
Image: El Chapuzas Informatico

According to the electric company whose power was being drained, the farm was capable of generating a monthly electricity fraud of 2,000 Euros. Spain has one of the highest electricity rates per kWh in Europe, so the miscreants figured that theft would bring in much higher profits.

Speaking of profits, the setup has been estimated to generate gains of around 2,500 Euros, made possible by a RIG mining equipment with a value of 13,000 Euros.

Investigators analyzing the seized equipment say that the facility was in its early phase of operation, meaning the police intervention halted the operation before it could turn profitable.

Police investigations had begun on a possible indoor marijuana plantation that could be located in some stables located in Santiponce. The cryptocurrency mine came as a surprise but the farm owners are yet to be nabbed.

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