Brazil Police Uncover Clandestine Crypto Mining Operation in Rio de Janeiro

Police in Rio de Janeiro have made a significant discovery in their fight against organized crime, uncovering a clandestine crypto mining operation in the Complexo do Lins neighborhood. The setup was found during Operação Contenção, which targeted suspects accused of maintaining armed territorial control and various other crimes.

The crypto farm was hidden behind a market in the complex and included dozens of machines connected through improvised electricity links. A local update revealed that the seized hardware consisted of 32 high-performance machines, allegedly used to mine crypto assets and generate revenue for the Comando Vermelho faction.

Investigators believe that the operators bypassed electricity costs by using illegal power connections, allowing them to run the machines continuously while reducing operating expenses. The location also featured cooling infrastructure, designed to prevent overheating and ensure continuous operation of the mining hardware.