Cartel Crypto Laundering Operation

Hidden Cryptocurrency Mining Farm in Mexican Mountains Highlights Cartel Funding Operations

The discovery of a suspected illegal cryptocurrency mining operation in Tlaola, Puebla state, Mexico, has raised concerns about cartel funding. The operation, located in the mountains of Central Mexico, is believed to have been operating without authorization and drawing power from infrastructure linked to a nearby hydroelectric system. This is the fourth such operation uncovered in the area since early last year. As more people and institutions worldwide adopt virtual currency, Latin American cartels are increasingly using crypto transfers and mining operations to launder money. The cost of minting one bitcoin, the most widely used cryptocurrency, is estimated at nearly $45,000, which would still make a significant profit when sold at current prices of around $78,000. The increase in illicit cryptocurrency transactions more than doubled in 2025, with addresses linked to criminal activity receiving an estimated $154 billion.

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