Venezuelan authorities recovered Bitcoin (BTC) mining equipment, rocket launchers, and a myriad of other items when they retook the Tocoron prison, previously under inmate control.
On September 21, officials revealed that, in addition to the Bitcoin mining apparatus, they found dangerous armaments including machine gun belts, caches of bullets, sniper rifles, explosives, and rocket launchers.
The large-scale operation on Wednesday saw the deployment of over 11,000 armed personnel, including police and soldiers, targeting the recapture of the facility from the clutches of the Tren de Aragua gang.
It was further uncovered that this gang had transformed the prison into a de facto base, termed the “little city,” complete with a nightclub, swimming pool, zoo, and even a casino.
President Maduro, commenting on X (the platform previously known as Twitter), praised the forces and hinted at a future with no gang dominance in the nation.
“…I commend the exceptional efforts of over 11,000 members of the FANB [National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela] and our police in successfully intervening at the Tocoron Penitentiary Center. We are on a path to a Venezuela devoid of criminal gangs!”
Interior and Justice Minister Remigio Ceballos mentioned the unfortunate loss of a soldier during the operation, which had been a year in the planning. He emphasized the imperative of justice, asserting, “There will be no place for impunity. We will take action against every criminal and their accomplices. This triumphant operation has significantly countered the criminal factions.”
The female partners of the inmates were escorted out of the prison. Tragically, it later came to light that the zoo animals housed within the facility had perished due to fires instigated by the prisoners.
Venezuelan mining debacle
Mining has gained traction in the nation, driven by low-cost electricity resulting from government subsidies. Coupled with soaring inflation rates, BTC is swiftly gaining ground among the burgeoning populace.
Owing to the reduced mining costs per coin compared to other regions, an influx of miners has been drawn to the area. This has, in turn, placed strain on the national power infrastructure.
To address the persistent issue of power outages, the country’s regulators have prohibited crypto mining, aiming to alleviate the stress on the electricity grid.
Even so, experts suggest that mining persists within the country, though the full extent is yet to be ascertained. Video evidence indicates that the equipment found in the facility consisted of older models of Bitmain’s Antminers.
Around the world, miners in certain regions have experienced comparable clampdowns, with governments pointing to environmental and energy concerns as primary reasons for the restrictions.
