YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) —
The Los Angeles Police Department recovered Bitcoin mining rigs valued at $2.7 million following a major airport theft. The equipment was allegedly stolen at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) just before being loaded onto a flight to Hong Kong.
The LAPD made the announcement on April 22, stating that officers from its Cargo Theft Unit, working with Port Police, Union Pacific Police, and Airport Police, arrested Oscar David Borrero-Manchola and Yonaiker Rafael Martinez-Ramos. Both men are linked to a South American crime ring operating in Los Angeles.
//
window.__mirage2 = {petok:”B2Sowf.8D8LPxOlBdd_ZBaICp5a.A8tW5Z5XXdpTzyU-1800-0.0.1.1″};
//]]>
According to the LAPD, the mining rigs were part of a larger cargo shipment targeted in an organized operation.
The machines were discovered during searches of storage facilities in the San Fernando Valley.
Search leads to $4 million in stolen goods, including Bitcoin mining rigs
The LAPD’s joint operation uncovered more than $4 million in total stolen items. This includes the Bitcoin mining rigs as well as consumer goods. Police found $1.2 million worth of tequila, shoes, clothing, speakers, pet food, coffee, and body wash.
Some of the stolen products were recovered from a downtown Los Angeles storage facility. Police released a photo showing dozens of boxes stacked in rows inside the unit.
Borrero-Manchola was booked at Van Nuys Jail for receiving stolen property and released. Martinez-Ramos was arrested under a no-bail warrant. The LAPD stated that “the investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests may follow.”
The Bitcoin mining rigs seized in this case were not identified by model or quantity. However, current-generation Bitcoin miners usually cost between $3,000 and $5,000 each. These machines process blockchain transactions by solving complex calculations and earn rewards in Bitcoin (BTC).
The exact condition or resale status of the recovered stolen mining equipment was not mentioned. The LAPD said the investigation is still in progress.
Not the first major Bitcoin mining theft in Los Angeles
In July 2024, the LAPD arrested Bryan Thola, alleging he possessed $579,000 in stolen crypto miners. The machines were found in a cargo van and storage unit during a separate operation.
Stolen Bitcoin mining rigs have also been reported in other countries. Between 2017 and 2018, over 600 machines were stolen from data centers in Iceland. Several months later, Chinese authorities in Tianjin seized a similar batch, raising suspicions about a global trafficking link.
Stolen crypto miners can be sold on secondary markets, used in illegal mining operations, or broken down for parts. Law enforcement agencies, including the LAPD, continue to track such equipment. Due to their high cost and increasing global demand, Bitcoin mining rigs are frequently targeted by theft groups.
The LAPD has not confirmed whether the stolen machines had been activated or if they were already operational. The department is expected to share more details as the case develops.