Mexican authorities discovered a suspected cartel-linked crypto mining farm in the Sierra Norte mountains of Puebla, seizing roughly 300 GPUs, 80 medium-voltage terminals and eight satellite antennas. The site — reportedly the fourth such find in the region since early 2025 — was detected after loud machine noise and unusually high power usage alerted investigators. Analysts warn the discovery points to increasing cartel sophistication and to the value of cheap or controlled electricity for illicit mining. Chainalysis reports a sharp rise in crypto flows tied to illicit activity, partly linked to sanctions evasion.
Mexico Seizes Suspected Cartel-Linked Crypto Mining Farm in Puebla Mountains — 300 GPUs Recovered
Mexico Uncovers Suspected Cartel-Linked Crypto Mining Farm in Mountains
Mexican authorities say they uncovered a suspected illegal cryptocurrency mining operation hidden in the Sierra Norte mountains of Puebla, suggesting that organized crime groups may be expanding their use of digital assets from money transfers into large-scale mining.
The remote compound, located off a lightly traveled gravel road, drew attention when the constant roar of what investigators described as hundreds of machines and unusually high electricity consumption alerted local residents and officials, according to CNN.
What Officials Found
Authorities seized approximately 300 graphics processing units (GPUs), about 80 medium-voltage terminals and eight satellite antennas. Officials said the hardware could have been used to mine cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum Classic (ETC), Ravencoin (RVN) or Ergo (ERG), depending on the GPU models and local electricity costs.
Why This Matters
The Puebla site is reportedly the fourth suspected crypto farm discovered in the region since early 2025, indicating a pattern of hidden operations. Mexican security analyst David Saucedo said the scale and technical demands of the operation suggest financial backing and expertise from a well-funded criminal organization.
“Drug cartels appear to have reached a new level of sophistication,” Saucedo said.
Energy is one of the largest expenses in cryptocurrency mining, making access to stolen or heavily subsidized power especially valuable to illicit operators seeking to lower costs. Chainalysis estimates that cryptocurrency addresses linked to illicit activity received about $154 billion in 2025, up from $59 billion the previous year; the firm says much of that increase is tied to transactions used to evade sanctions.
Caio Motta, Chainalysis' Latin America specialist, noted that criminal groups can gain an advantage by locating mining sites where electricity is inexpensive or where they can exert control over power infrastructure.
Authorities are coordinating with neighboring states to determine whether additional hidden mining operations remain active in the region. Officials have not yet disclosed whether arrests were made or who operated the site.
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