Police Find 300 GPU Crypto Miners in Puebla’s Remote Jungle

Law enforcement in the Mexican state of Puebla discovered a clandestine cryptocurrency mining operation deep in the Sierra Norte jungle. The site, located near the remote municipality of Tlaola, housed 300 GPU mining rigs that were illegally connected to the Nuevo Necaxa hydroelectric grid.

Discovery and Investigation

Neighbors reported a persistent mechanical whirring and an unexplained rise in local electricity consumption. Police traced the noise and power usage to a facility about two miles from the nearest village, reachable only by a difficult gravel road. Upon arrival, officers found the mining equipment wired to the hydroelectric dam, along with a custom pedestal transformer and eight satellite‑internet antennas.

Scale and Technology

• 300 GPU mining machines operating continuously.
• Power sourced from the Nuevo Necaxa hydroelectric dam.
• Infrastructure included a custom transformer and eight Starlink‑class satellite antennas.

Criminal Links and Context

Authorities suspect the operation was financed by organized‑crime networks, noting that it is the fourth hidden mining site uncovered in the Sierra Norte region since the start of 2025. Analysts say cartels are adopting more sophisticated methods to harvest cryptocurrency profits, including large‑scale, energy‑intensive setups in remote locations.

Broader Implications

The find highlights a growing trend of illicit electricity theft for crypto mining across several countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Russia, Iran, China, and Paraguay. It also follows recent legal actions against cartel members for using cryptocurrency to launder drug proceeds.