The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has reported the recovery of stolen Bitcoin mining devices valued at $2.7 million. The equipment was taken during a brazen robbery at the city’s international airport, where cryptocurrency mining rigs were set to be shipped to Hong Kong.
This is reported by Business • Media
Joint Operation and Arrest of Suspects
According to the police, detectives from the theft investigation unit collaborated with the Los Angeles port police, Union Pacific railroad police, and airport police in the investigation. As a result, law enforcement arrested two suspects: Oscar David Borrero-Manchola and Yonayker Rafael Martinez-Ramos.
“The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are possible,” stated the LAPD.
Searches were conducted at warehouses in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles. During the investigative actions, stolen equipment worth over $4 million was discovered. Among the items found were Bitcoin mining rigs that had disappeared from Los Angeles International Airport while being prepared for shipment to Hong Kong.
Criminal Group and Further Consequences
According to the investigation, both suspects are linked to a South American gang that specializes in theft and trafficking of stolen property in Los Angeles. They were arrested and taken to Van Nuys jail: Borrero-Manchola was released after being charged with receiving stolen property, while Martinez-Ramos remains in custody without bail.
Earlier reports indicated that an underground casino operating under the guise of cryptocurrency mining had been uncovered in South Korea. Criminal activities in the cryptocurrency sector continue to attract the attention of law enforcement agencies.