Mexican authorities discovered a cryptocurrency mining farm with 300 graphics processing units (GPUs) near Tlaola, a small municipality in the Sierra Norte mountains of Puebla state, in early September 2026. The farm operated around the clock with the constant noise of transformers and cooling fans, and it likely used stolen electricity from the hydroelectric power plant.
Joint Operations and Discoveries
A joint operation between the Federal Prosecutor's Office of Mexico (FGR), the Navy (SEMAR), and the Puebla State Security Ministry (SSP) led to the seizure of these assets and the dismantling of the facilities. Authorities discovered 300 GPUs, 80 medium-voltage terminals, and eight satellite antennas, all designed to compete with millions of other devices to solve puzzles and produce valuable digital coins.
Investigations are looking into whether the operators of this farm stole electricity from the Nuevo Necaxa hydroelectric power plant. No specific cartel group has been identified as the operator of this farm, but authorities have described the operation as infrastructure related to organized crime, and investigations in this area are ongoing.
Financial and Economic Implications
The discovery of this cryptocurrency mining farm is not only a limited operation but also has broader economic implications. A cybersecurity company reported that the use of cryptocurrencies for money laundering in Mexico increased by 55.8 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. Various groups, including the Sinaloa cartel and CJNG, use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero to move their funds.
According to estimates from the United Nations and DEA, money laundering with cryptocurrencies related to cartels may reach up to $25 billion annually. Reports from Chainalysis indicate that the volume of illegal cryptocurrencies globally reached $154 billion in 2025, marking a 162 percent increase from the previous year.
Cryptocurrency mining is not illegal in Mexico, but prosecution depends on proving electricity theft, money laundering, or connections to organized crime. This equipment is easily movable, and analysts suggest that a dismantled farm could be quickly re-established after an operation.
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