Mexican authorities dismantled a clandestine cryptocurrency mining site in the mountains of Tlaola, Puebla, between September 8 and 12. The operation utilized stolen electricity from the nearby Nuevo Necaxa hydroelectric dam, satellite internet, and equipment including 300 GPUs, 80 medium-voltage terminals, and eight satellite antennas.
This raid is the fourth such discovery in the Puebla region since early 2025. Investigators are examining potential connections to major criminal groups, specifically the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Experts suggest that such mining facilities require significant capital and technical expertise, often pointing to organized crime involvement.
Criminal organizations are increasingly shifting toward digital assets to facilitate money laundering. Reports indicate that crypto-related money laundering linked to organized crime grew by 55.8% in 2025. Cartels favor Bitcoin for liquidity, Monero for privacy, and Tether for stability, while mining allows them to generate coins without transaction histories.
