As reported by Cointelegraph, Paraguayan authorities have taken action against three individuals following an attempted theft of cryptocurrency mining equipment near the country’s Itaipu hydroelectric dam. Three individuals were extradited, while one was taken into custody.
On May 15, Paraguayan prosecutor Irene Rolón released a statement detailing that the individuals were apprehended shortly after infiltrating a locked area of Teratech SA, a local technology company based in Coronel Bogado. It is suspected that the individuals may have been affiliated with Teratech as freelance contractors, but this information awaits confirmation from the company’s CEO.
The three extradited individuals, Jinping Duan, Tian Jianyun, and Zheng Guanglong, are Chinese nationals who lacked official entry records into Paraguay. Both Paraguayan authorities and Interpol suspect they might have entered illegally through Brazil or Bolivia.
The fourth person, Nahun María Velázquez Garcete, is a legal resident of Paraguay and believed to be associated with a criminal organization. Charged with aggravated theft, he is currently in pretrial detention. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition shortly after the arrest, however, the nature of his injuries remains undisclosed.
Paraguayan officials are investigating whether other individuals were involved in the attempted heist, with the investigation ongoing. Prosecutor Rolón suggests that the extradited individuals may have been illegally working in Paraguay for several months, potentially as programmers. It remains uncertain if their work was related to the company.
Paraguay’s abundant renewable energy resources make it an attractive hub for cryptocurrency mining operations. The Itaipu dam, which supplies all of Paraguay’s local electricity needs and generates ample excess electricity, is increasingly popular among miners.
