Police seize 148 so-called miners producing cryptocurrency in Mestia

The police have launched an investigation into the facts of violations of the rules for the use of energy resources in the Mestia municipality, and 148 so-called miners have been seized.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as a result of complex operational measures and investigative actions carried out by law enforcement officers, special cryptocurrency producing devices, so-called miners, have been discovered at six different locations in the territory of the Mestia municipality.

The investigation established that with the help of these devices, locals were systematically generating digital currency and receiving illegal income through the illegal and unlawful consumption of large amounts of electricity.

As a result of searches conducted by law enforcement officers, a large amount of special technical equipment was seized as evidence.

Active investigative actions are continuing regarding the fact in order to identify other persons involved in the crime.

The investigation is underway under Article 229, Part 2, Subparagraph “b” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provides for imprisonment for a term of up to three years.