Malaysian cops seized and destroyed 1,069 bitcoin mining rigs by crushing them with a steamroller — after the miners allegedly siphoned off almost $2 million worth of electricity to power the energy-intensive machines.
The machines, which were estimated to be worth about $1.25 million, were seized in a joint operation carried out by police in the city of Miri and electric utility company Sarawak Energy between February and April, according to a report from the Malaysian National News Agency.
Six people were arrested for electricity theft in the operation, and have been fined almost $2,000 as well as “jailed for up to eight months,” according to a statement from Miri police chief ACP Hakemal Hawari.