Venezuelan Police Raid Uncovers Bitcoin Mining Machines, Rocket Launchers In Prison

Bitcoin Venezuela
Last updated:
Author
Author
David Pokima
About Author

David is a finance journalist and a contributor to Cryptonews.com with a keen interest in breaking comprehensive, accurate, and reliable blockchain news.

Last updated:
Why Trust Cryptonews
With over a decade of crypto coverage, Cryptonews delivers authoritative insights you can rely on. Our veteran team of journalists and analysts combines in-depth market knowledge with hands-on testing of blockchain technologies. We maintain strict editorial standards, ensuring factual accuracy and impartial reporting on both established cryptocurrencies and emerging projects. Our longstanding presence in the industry and commitment to quality journalism make Cryptonews a trusted source in the dynamic world of digital assets. Read more about Cryptonews
Source: Flag Store/Adobe

The Venezuelan Police seized Bitcoin (BTC) mining hardware, rocket launchers, and a ton of other items as it recaptured the Tocoron prison which has been under the control of inmates. 

On Sept 21, the troops disclosed that alongside Bitcoin mining hardware, dangerous weapons such as machine gun ammunition belts, buckets of bullets, snipers, explosives, and rocket launchers. 

The raid which took place on Wednesday involved over 11,000 police and soldiers with high weaponry seeking to take control of the facility allegedly from the Tren de Aragua gang. 

Authorities also revealed that the gang had turned the prison into a headquarters described as the “little city”, discovering a nightclub, a swimming pool, a zoo, and a casino. 

President Maduro, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the country is heading towards a gang-free dispensation while congratulating the troops.

“…congratulate the more than 11,000 members of the FANB [National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela] and police forces for the successful intervention of the Tocoron Penitentiary Center. We are heading towards a Venezuela free of criminal gangs!”

Interior and Justice Minister Remigio Ceballos noted that one soldier was killed in the operation which was planned for a year adding that all criminals and accomplices must be brought to justice.

There will be no impunity. We will act against all the criminals and accomplices. The successful operation that allowed us to strike a blow against criminal groups.”

The wives or girlfriends of the inmates were dislodged from the facility and it was later revealed that zoo animals kept in the facility had died due to wide fires sparked by the prisoners.

Venezuelan mining debacle 

Mining has become increasingly popular in the country with cheap power due to subsidized power and given high inflation rates, BTC is growing rapidly among the emerging population.

As mining became cheaper per coin in the country compared to other jurisdictions, more miners began migrating to the region putting pressure on the national grid. 

Regulators in the country have banned crypto mining activities with the government hoping to reduce the frequent electricity blackouts. 

Despite this, observers say that mining activities continue to take place in the country although the depth remains unknown. Video reports show that the hardware discovered in the facility was older versions of Bitmain’s Antminers. 

Globally, miners in some jurisdictions have faced similar crackdowns with the government citing climate and energy factors. 

Bitcoin News
Bitcoin Is Becoming a ‘Political Imperative’ After Trump’s Win: NYDIG
2024-11-11 18:11:23
,
by Hongji Feng
Price Analysis
Bitcoin Price Hits All-Time High of $84,000 – How Quickly Can BTC Get to $100,000?
2024-11-11 16:00:29
,
by Arslan Butt
Bitcoin News
BREAKING: Billionaire Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy Acquires 27,200 BTC Worth $2.03 Billion
2024-11-11 13:49:26
,
by Ruholamin Haqshanas

More Articles

Price Analysis
Shiba Inu Climbs to Top 10 in Trading Volume – Could It Finally Overtake Dogecoin?
Simon Chandler
Simon Chandler
2024-11-12 16:00:26
DeFi News
Becoming a ‘Mini-App Mogul’: Calaxy Decentralized Social Platform Launches ‘Worlds’ Online Spaces
Sead Fadilpašić
Sead Fadilpašić
2024-11-12 15:29:12
Crypto News in numbers
editors
Authors List + 66 More
2M+
Active Monthly Users Around the World
250+
Guides and Reviews Articles
8
Years on the Market
70
International Team Authors