Mining Machines Seized as Part of Multi-Agency Investigation into International Crime Ring
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has announced the recovery of approximately $2.7 million worth of stolen Bitcoin mining rigs, following a coordinated operation targeting a South American crime ring involved in high-value thefts across the city.
According to an April 22 press release, the rigs were stolen from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) while in transit to Hong Kong. The theft occurred just as the shipment was being loaded onto a cargo plane, LAPD officials said.
The recovered miners were part of a broader bust that uncovered over $4 million in stolen goods, including luxury items, electronics, and consumer products.
Two Suspects Arrested in Airport Heist
The LAPD confirmed the arrests of Oscar David Borrero-Manchola and Yonaiker Rafael Martinez-Ramos, whom they identified as “prominent members” of a larger South American theft network.
The operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including:
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LAPD’s Cargo Theft Unit
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Los Angeles Port Police
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Union Pacific Railroad Police
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LAX Airport Police
The duo was found storing the stolen goods in San Fernando Valley, northeast of downtown L.A. Among the items recovered were:
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Bitcoin mining rigs worth $2.7 million
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$1.2 million in luxury tequila
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Clothing, shoes, speakers, and pet food
Borrero-Manchola was booked and released on charges related to receiving stolen property, while Martinez-Ramos is being held on a no-bail warrant. Authorities noted that the investigation is ongoing, with further arrests likely.
Crypto Mining Equipment Remains a High-Value Target
Though the LAPD did not disclose how many rigs were recovered or their make and model, modern Bitcoin mining machines typically sell for $3,000 to $5,000 apiece, depending on hash rate and efficiency.
Crypto mining equipment continues to be a prime target for theft, given its high resale value and portability. In July 2024, the LAPD arrested another suspect in possession of $579,000 worth of stolen mining equipment, seized from a cargo van and storage unit.
One of the most infamous mining rig thefts occurred in Iceland in 2018, where a group stole over 600 rigs from data centers. Those machines were later traced to China, where authorities seized a matching number of devices in the city of Tianjin just months later.
Final Thoughts: A Reminder of the High-Stakes Crypto Supply Chain
The LAPD’s recovery of stolen Bitcoin mining rigs highlights the growing intersection between organized crime and crypto infrastructure. As digital asset operations become increasingly global, the physical security of mining hardware and logistics chains is emerging as a key concern.
The case also underscores the value of interagency cooperation, especially when responding to sophisticated thefts with international footprints.
While the suspects await further legal proceedings, the investigation into the broader network continues — and so does the high-stakes cat-and-mouse game surrounding crypto’s physical underpinnings.
