Crypto mining electricity theft in Mexico was highlighted by the seizure of 300 crypto mining rigs wired into a hydroelectric dam, authorities reported. The machines were confiscated from a property in the Sierra Norte at Tlaola, Puebla, Mexico and were found to be drawing power via illegal electricity connections to a federal hydroelectric complex.
The seizure involves the Federal Electricity Commission and prosecutors preparing a charge of electricity theft, and seized items included transformers, medium‑voltage terminals, satellite internet antennas and GPUs.
Authorities seized 300 mining machines from a property in the Sierra Norte at Tlaola, Puebla, Mexico, after determining the equipment was drawing electricity illegally from a federal hydroelectric complex. Confiscated items recorded at the site included transformers, medium-voltage terminals and working satellite internet antennas, alongside the mining rigs themselves, which were described in reports as GPUs. The Federal Electricity Commission is taking part in the investigation into the illegal connections to the hydroelectric infrastructure.
Prosecutors are preparing a charge of electricity theft in connection with the seizure and have initiated prosecutorial procedures related to the alleged diversion of power. Forensic accountants are tracing who funded the hardware, and investigators state that money laundering has not been ruled out in the financial review. The investigative response therefore includes criminal charging and financial forensics alongside the seizure of power-distribution and communications equipment.
Between January and July 2024, non-technical electricity losses from theft, meter tampering and illegal connections were estimated at 6,346 gigawatt hours. That volume of lost electricity was valued at about 13.8 billion pesos, equivalent to approximately $817 million. The estimate covered losses attributed specifically to theft, meter tampering and illegal connections during that seven-month period.
In 2025, authorities dismantled three other mining operations in Puebla and the neighboring state of Tlaxcala. A farm near the same dam was found the previous year and was alleged to have been run out of properties belonging to the electrical workers’ union. These prior enforcement actions were recorded alongside reporting on illegal electricity use tied to crypto mining in the region.
Mining is legal in Mexico, and prosecutors are preparing a charge of electricity theft in connection with recent seizures of mining equipment. There was a very large power connection identified at the site. The Federal Electricity Commission and prosecutorial authorities are involved in inquiries tied to alleged illegal electricity use.
Authorities say mining consumes a great deal of energy and generates a lot of noise, which is why operators seek out isolated and very remote locations, and those factors alerted investigators. The remote siting and noticeable energy demands have been cited as reasons such installations were detected. These observations are part of investigations that separate legal mining activity from criminal electricity diversion.
Authorities continue investigating illegal electricity use by crypto miners after the seizure of 300 mining machines from a property in the Sierra Norte at Tlaola, Puebla, Mexico that were drawing power from a federal hydroelectric complex. Prosecutors are preparing a charge of electricity theft and forensic accountants are tracing who financed the hardware while the Federal Electricity Commission participates in the inquiry. The response has included seizure of power distribution and communications equipment and financial investigation measures as authorities continue to determine responsibility.
