Crypto mining operation intervened in Canindeyú caused a monthly loss of G. 654 million to ANDE

Asuncion, IP Agency.- Crypto mining in the Nueva Esperanza district of Canindeyú, intervened this Thursday by the National Electricity Administration (Ande), the Public Ministry, the Judiciary and the National Police, for theft of electrical energy, caused an estimated patrimonial damage of G. 654,042,000 on a monthly basis to Ande.

This amount is calculated based on the nominal power of the transformer, derived from the irregularity detected, an amount that, in addition to the costs of intervention and application of the fine, according to Law 966/64, must be paid by those responsible for the crime.

A direct connection, without a meter, to the Medium Voltage network was identified, of a facility dedicated to cryptomining activity, in which theft of electrical energy was recorded.

Given this irregularity detected, a formal complaint was filed with the Prosecutor’s Office for the crimes of illegal theft of electrical energy (Art. 173), disruption of public service (Art. 218), as well as sabotage (Art. 274) according to the Penal Code, by Dr. Carlos Cabrera, who, with an order from the Criminal Guarantee Judge of Katuete, Dr. Hilda Ocampos, has proceeded to search the respective place.

At the site, a transformer without an identification plate was found, which, due to its technical characteristics, has an approximate power of 2,000 kVA. Also, two empty containers were found, with 150 terminals for connecting crypto-asset processors, connection cables to the distribution network, and hidden with tents in the forest, approximately 200 (two hundred) cryptocurrency processing equipment.

Ande highlights the support provided by security agencies in the area such as the Nueva Esperanza Police Station, Economic Crimes officers and the Special Operations Group (GEO) of the National Police, who also proceeded to arrest a person without proper identification, to investigate the possible perpetrators.

This operation was made possible by the use of the Distribution SCADA system, which allowed for load analysis on the feeder that supplies the area, and which, due to the behavioral anomalies recorded, allowed for the identification of possible loads that corresponded to facilities dedicated to the theft of electrical energy, which was monitored by a team of Ande specialists.

He highlighted the important work of Ande officials, who carry out constant monitoring to combat this fact that harms the proper functioning of the electrical system and represents a great economic loss for the Institution, as well as highlighting the teamwork and inter-institutional cooperation to carry out these interventions.