And that’s why evidence has the powerful ability to catch and bring two LAPD suspects to justice. Specifically, they are suspected to be major players in a South American crime network that steals and resells high-value items, including Bitcoin mining equipment. On April 22, authorities arrested the suspects and seized $579,000 worth of mining rigs. These rigs were connected to thefts of hardware that occurred in Iceland in late 2017 and early 2018.

Oscar David Borrero-Manchola was issued a citation for possession of stolen property and released. At the same time, Yonaiker Rafael Martinez-Ramos was at risk of arrest because of a no-bail warrant. Both individuals were booked at the Van Nuys Jail located in Los Angeles County. The LAPD's Cargo Theft Unit, in collaboration with the city's Port Police, Union Pacific Police, and Airport Police, carried out the operation.

Additionally, authorities recovered the stolen Bitcoin mining rigs from a cargo van and a self-storage unit. According to The ruckus, the recovered equipment is part of Iceland’s biggest theft—the heist and recovery of more than 600 Bitcoin mining machines three years ago. Chinese authorities in Tianjin confiscated an almost identical type and model of mining rigs. This came just three months after the first theft in Iceland.

Beyond the Bitcoin miners, the LAPD seized more than $1.2 million in allegedly stolen goods. Authorities confiscated an extensive list of valuables. The goods confiscated ranged from tequila, clothing, shoes, speakers, coffee, body wash and pet food. Many of these items were found in an archival hoard that was located inside a storage facility in the middle of downtown Los Angeles.

Additionally, Borrero-Manchola and Martinez-Ramos are believed to be two of the leaders of a South American crime syndicate. Their emphasis is on moving stolen goods across the Los Angeles metro area. This is hardly the first time the LAPD has seized illicit crypto mining gear. READ MORE ⟶ Earlier this year, we told you about how Bryan Thola was arrested after allegedly acquiring a stolen Bitcoin miner van.