Authorities seize 300 computers from cryptomining farm siphoning power from Puebla grid
Authorities discovered the clandestine facility in Tlaola, a municipality in northern Puebla near the Nuevo Necaxa Dam — the second such bust in a year connected to this power source. The post Authorities seize 300 computers from cryptomining farm siphoning power from Puebla grid appeared first on Mexico News Daily
Federal authorities in Mexico have dismantled a clandestine cryptocurrency mining operation located in Puebla, seizing approximately 300 computers that were illegally connected to a hydroelectric complex. The farm was discovered in Tlaola, a municipality in the remote Sierra Norte region of Puebla, following a joint investigation by the Federal Attorney General’s Office, the Navy, and state prosecutors.
The operation, which took place in September 2026, uncovered a well-equipped digital operations center along with large-scale electrical and technological infrastructure, including transformers, medium-voltage terminals, the 300 specialized computer units (GPUs), and satellite internet antennas. Authorities seized the equipment as part of an investigation into energy theft, although prosecutors have not ruled out potential money laundering charges.
Forensic accountants are now tracing the origin of the funds used to acquire the expensive hardware. Puebla's Security Minister, Francisco Sánchez, stated that these "farms" are part of a network that exploits the proximity to hydroelectric facilities in the Sierra Norte to steal significant amounts of energy. The mining process consumes large quantities of energy and generates considerable noise, which is why remote and isolated locations are preferred.
The discovery of a massive power line connection aided authorities in locating the clandestine farm. In 2025, similar operations were dismantled near the dam, and two additional mining facilities straddling the border between Puebla and Tlaxcala were also taken down. Cryptocurrency mining, while not illegal in Mexico, uses computers to solve complex mathematical problems to validate transactions and earn digital assets.
The Central Electricity Commission (CFE) estimated that energy theft, meter tampering, and illegal connections cost the company around 13.8 billion pesos (US $817 million) between January and July 2024. The increasing use of cryptocurrencies for quick, cheap, and discreet fund transfers has made them a popular tool for money laundering by criminal groups.
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