Police seize 212 cryptocurrency mining devices in Georgia's Mestia municipality

Georgian police have seized a total of 212 cryptocurrency mining devices in the mountainous Mestia municipality over the past three days as part of an investigation into the alleged illegal consumption of electricity for digital currency generation, the Interior Ministry said.

The body said officers from the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Police Department confiscated an additional 17 so-called "miners" during searches carried out within an ongoing criminal investigation into violations of energy consumption regulations.

Authorities said the investigation has established that the devices were being used by local residents to generate cryptocurrency through the unlawful and systematic consumption of large quantities of electricity, resulting in illegal financial gain.

The Ministry said investigative activities are continuing to identify other individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and to determine further legal measures.

The crime is punishable by up to three years' imprisonment.