Police demolish 198 bitcoin devices worth RM198,000

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Police have crushed a total of 198 bitcoin mining rigs worth RM198,000 at the district police headquarters (IPD) storage area this morning (July 3).

The mining devices were flattened using a rolling machine and then handed over to members of Trienekens Sdn Bhd for disposal.

DSP Jaimi Husin speaks to reporters.

Kota Samarahan police chief DSP Jaimi Husin along with his subordinates and representatives from Sesco Kota Samarahan branch and Trienekens, witnessed the destruction.

When met by reporters, Jaimi said that the mining rigs, valued at RM198,000 were confiscated by the police from cases between 2021 and 2022.

“Now that the cases are completed and actions have been taken in court, we conduct this disposal of bitcoindevices with Sesco.

“In these cases, no arrests were made as the devices were seized from empty premises around Uni Central and Samarindah areas,” he said.

He added that these premises were suspected to be involved in mining activities, which led to electricity theft, affecting Sesco.

To date, police and Sesco have yet to receive any new information regarding bitcoin mining activities in Kota Samarahan.

Jaimi pointed out that the case can be investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for electricity theft as well as Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief resulting in loss or damage, as there have been instances of cables being cut to make illegal electricity connections.

Jaimi looks at the flattened bitcoin mining rigs at the IPD’s storage area.