Cannabis farm concealed inside houses are middling distinctive . High temperatures , constant humidity , seal rooms to control odors , and vents to maintain the microclimate are all hallmarks of those that house many plant , and this is certainly known to police . As such , using infrared cameras and drone , law can home in on illegal farm with ease – but they might not always be what they seem .
After West Midlands police force gained intelligence suggest a resident was growing hemp on an industrial the three estates in Sandwell , UK , police officers win a warrant and attend the area expecting to get a swathe of cannabis plants . Instead , they found a heavy cryptocurrency mining trailer truck of around 100 units , allmining for bitcoin .
“ It ’s certainly not what we were expect ! It had all the hallmarks of a cannabis refinement band - up and I believe it ’s only the 2nd such crypto mine we ’ve encountered in the West Midlands . ” said Sandwell Police Sargent Jennifer Griffin , in astatement .
The equipment used in the operation was all seized on ground of illegal electricity consumption . fit in to the police , inquiries into the local electricity provider uncovered one thousand of Cypriot pound worth of power stolen from the mains supply to might the prominent rig , and the officers are now pursue a type to permanently seize all the unit of measurement discovered .
“ My understanding is that excavation for cryptocurrency is not itself illegal but understandably hook electricity from the mains supply to power it is , ” say Griffin .
The constabulary are now on the hunt for the possessor of the operation . “We’ve seized the equipment and will be wait into permanently seizing it under the Proceeds of Crime Act . No - one was at the unit at the clock time of the warrant and no collar have been made – but we ’ll be relieve oneself enquiries with the unit ’s owner . ”
Bitcoin has come under hard firing in recent month , as the crypto market hit a flower in early May and Bitcoin go along to rise . However , following news of achanging attitude in Chinaand a tweet from Elon Musk claiming Tesla willno longer bear Bitcoin(citing environmental concern ) , the crypto mart guide a abrupt collision and many coins were importantly bear upon . At the meter , Bitcoin mining wasusing more electrical energy than Argentina , which troubled conservationist .
As cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum transition to more environmentally - friendly method acting , it remain to be encounter whether the marketplace can bounce back .
In the interim , if you are study mining for crypto , verify to source electricity legally .
