Malaysian police have arrested two men and seized 73 Bitcoin mining machines during an operation targeting an alleged illegal mining network powered through unauthorized electricity connections.
The raids were carried out at three properties in Tronoh, Perak, under “Op Elektrik,” a law enforcement operation focused on identifying electricity theft linked to cryptocurrency mining activities.
According to Batu Gajah district police chief Assistant Commissioner Md Noor Aehawan Mohammad, officers conducted the coordinated operation with support from the Technical Unit of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia’s national electricity provider.
Authorities detained two local men, aged 40 and 52, to assist with the investigation. Police also confiscated 73 Bitcoin mining machines and other equipment believed to have been used to operate the mining network.
Investigators said inspections conducted by TNB identified unauthorized electricity connections at the properties. The alleged operators are suspected of bypassing legal power supply systems to run the energy-intensive mining equipment without paying for the electricity used.
Bitcoin mining requires significant computing power, with specialized machines operating continuously to process transactions and secure the blockchain. The high energy requirements have made electricity costs one of the largest operational expenses for mining businesses.
Illegal mining operators may attempt to reduce these costs by tampering with electricity meters or creating unauthorized connections to the power grid. Such activities can cause financial losses for electricity providers and may also create safety risks for surrounding properties and infrastructure.
The latest operation is part of Malaysia’s broader crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency mining activities involving electricity theft.
Authorities across the country have conducted thousands of raids against suspected illegal mining operations in recent years. Malaysian officials reported that more than 75,000 cryptocurrency mining machines were seized during enforcement operations conducted between 2022 and May 2026, alongside hundreds of arrests.
The crackdown has involved cooperation between police, electricity providers and local authorities. Enforcement agencies have continued to focus on mining operations suspected of bypassing electricity meters or using unauthorized power connections.
Malaysia has not prohibited cryptocurrency mining, but operators are required to comply with applicable electricity regulations and other legal requirements. The recent raids highlight the distinction between legally operated mining businesses and operations that allegedly rely on stolen electricity.
Police have not disclosed the estimated value of the equipment seized in the Tronoh operation or provided details regarding potential charges. The two men remain under investigation as authorities examine the alleged electricity theft and the operation of the mining equipment.
