Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is continuing its investigation into the illegal use of electricity in the Mestia municipality of the Svaneti region. Over the past three days, law enforcement officers have seized 212 cryptocurrency mining devices.
According to the ministry, during recent searches, police officers in the Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region discovered and confiscated another 17 miners. Previously, 195 devices had been seized.
Investigators believe that local residents used the equipment for cryptocurrency mining, illegally consuming large amounts of electricity and thereby systematically generating illegal income.
The MIA stated that the investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officers are identifying other potential participants in the scheme and verifying their involvement in the alleged offense.
The investigation is being conducted under the article concerning the violation of rules for the use of energy resources. The maximum penalty under this article is up to three years in prison.