KANGAR: Police have seized 259 bitcoin mining machines and other equipment with an estimated total value of RM958,000 during raids at seven premises in Kangar and Kuala Perlis.
Perlis police chief Datuk Muhammad Abdul Halim said the raids revealed that Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) suffered estimated losses of RM15.55mil from stolen electricity.
"The raids were carried out under Ops Cantas Elektrik between 9am and 5.40pm on Dec 31 following public information regarding power supply disruption caused by excessive energy usage.
"Inspections found that all the premises involved had been using illegal electricity connections without meters for bitcoin mining for three months to a year, affecting TNB's revenue and operations," he told a press conference here on Tuesday (Jan 6).
Police were assisted by Perlis TNB technicians, the Penang TNB SEAL Team and the Fire and Rescue Department.
He said police also detained a 19-year-old man who was remanded on Jan 1 and 2 before his release on police bail.
The case is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 37 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
Muhammad urged the public who have information related to electricity theft or who suspect illegal connections to channel the information to the Perlis police headquarters at 04-987 2222 or the nearest police station. – Bernama
