MIRI: Police have arrested three men who allegedly masterminded electricity theft to run illegal Bitcoin operations and seized over RM1.4 million worth of electrical devices from three premises here.
The joint operation involving Miri CID and Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sesco) to tackle electricity theft, took place around the city on Wednesday and Thursday.
District police chief ACP Hakemal Hawari said the teams carried out four raids on the premises identified by Sesco to be making illegal electrical connections.
The premises are located at Taman Tunku, Lopeng and Jalan Miri By Pass Industrial Park.
“The raids led to the seizure of 300 cryptocurrency mining devices, two laptops, five modems and related tools used for Bitcoin operations
“The estimated seizure value is about RM1,407,200 while the total value of losses incurred by Sesco is estimated to be around RM1,430,800,” he said.
Hakemal said the team managed to arrest three men behind the operations. They will be investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for stealing electricity and Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing treason against property through illegal electrical connections.
