The cannabis farms hidden inside the house are quite unique. High temperatures, constant humidity, sealed rooms for odor control and vents for maintaining the microclimate are many features that are present in many plants and it must be known to the police. For example, using infrared cameras and drones, police can easily enter illegal farms – but they are not always like that. A resident of an industrial area in Sandwell, UK, was advised to grow marijuana after West Midlands Police intelligence information; police officers received a warrant and arrived in the area in the hope of finding a cannabis plant.
Instead, they’ve got a larger cryptocurrency mining cut of about 100 units of all mining for bitcoin. Sandwell Police Sargent Jennifer Griffin said in a statement, “It simply came to our notice then. It had all the features of cannabis cultivation and I believe it is the second crypto mine we encounter in the West Midlands.” The equipment used in the operation was confiscated due to all illegal electricity usage. Police said interrogation of the local electricity supplier found thousands of pounds of electricity stolen from Maine to supply large quantities of electricity, and officials are now suing for permanent possession of all the units discovered.
“My understanding is that mining for cryptocurrency is not illegal in itself, but the supply of electricity is clearly diverted from Maine,” Griffin said. Police are now searching for the owner of the raid.
“We have seized the equipment and will investigate whether to permanently seize it under criminal activity law. No one was in the unit at the time of the warrant and no arrests were made – but we will investigate with the unit owner.” Bitcoin has been on fire in recent months, as the crypto market peaked in early May and Bitcoin continues to rise. However, news of a changed outlook in China and a tweet from Ellen Musk claiming that Bitcoin will no longer be accepted (citing environmental concerns) hit the crypto market hard and many currencies were significantly affected. At the time, bitcoin mining was using more electricity than Argentina, which caused environmentalists problems.
