TLDR
- Mexican authorities seized around 300 GPUs from a hidden crypto mining farm in Tlaola, Puebla
- Investigators are looking into whether the site stole electricity from a nearby hydroelectric dam
- Officials are examining if the mined crypto was used to launder cartel money
- This is the fourth similar mining operation found in the area since early 2025
- No arrests, charges, or named cartel has been publicly identified yet
Mexican authorities raided a covert crypto mining facility in the mountainous municipality of Tlaola, Puebla, seizing around 300 graphics processing units along with industrial electrical equipment and satellite antennas.
Stolen Power and Crypto Mining Emerge as New Tools for Latin American Cartels
Reuters reported that Mexican authorities uncovered a suspected illicit crypto mining operation in the mountainous Tlaola area of Puebla state, seizing 300 GPUs, 80 medium-voltage terminals and eight… pic.twitter.com/V29vDCjFkG
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) September 13, 2026
The operation involved personnel from Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, the Mexican Navy, and Puebla’s Public Security Secretariat. Officials found roughly 80 medium-voltage terminals, a transformer, and eight satellite internet antennas at the remote site.
The facility was located about two kilometers from the nearest village. Residents told Reuters they could hear the mechanical noise from the machines up to one kilometer away.
Puebla security chief Francisco Sanchez Gonzalez said the site’s electricity demand, operating noise, and isolated location drew the attention of authorities. Officials had been tracking reports of suspected mining activity near the Nuevo Necaxa hydroelectric system.
Electricity Theft Under Investigation
Investigators are examining whether the farm drew power without authorization from the nearby hydroelectric infrastructure. Neither prosecutors nor the Federal Electricity Commission have confirmed an illegal connection.
Energy theft specialist Samuel Leon from Mexico’s Iberoamericana University told Reuters: “If they were stealing the electricity, the main costs of the operation would be, well nothing.” Electricity is typically one of the largest expenses for a mining operation.
Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission recorded 6,346 gigawatt-hours in nontechnical losses between January and July 2024, covering theft, meter manipulation, and illegal connections. The figure does not include any losses tied to the Tlaola site specifically.
Other countries have seen similar cases. Malaysian police seized 73 Bitcoin miners in electricity theft raids in July 2026. Thai authorities confiscated 996 Bitcoin mining machines after operators were found to have tampered with meters.
Possible Cartel Ties Not Confirmed
Authorities are also looking into whether the crypto produced at the site was used to make criminal funds appear legitimate. Crypto mining can create newly issued coins that have a clean on-chain origin, making it appealing to those trying to hide illicit money.
Security analyst David Saucedo told Reuters that running such a site requires technical knowledge and financial backing that a well-funded criminal group could provide. However, his comments are not an official finding.
No cartel has been named. No wallet addresses, ownership records, or criminal charges have been disclosed. This is the fourth crypto mining site found in the Puebla region since early 2025. Authorities are working with neighboring states to find other possible operations.
Chainalysis estimated that illicit crypto addresses received at least $154 billion in 2025, up from around $59 billion in 2024. Much of the increase was driven by sanctioned entities. Still, known illicit activity represented less than 1% of total crypto transaction volume.
Cryptocurrency mining is not illegal in Mexico. The investigation centers on electricity theft and potential money laundering. No public deadline has been set for results, and the machines remain under official custody.
