The Venezuelan Police seized Bitcoin (BTC) mining hardware, rocket launchers and a ton of other items as it recaptured the Tocoron prison which has been under the control of inmates.
On Sept 21, the troops disclosed that alongside Bitcoin mining hardware, dangerous weapons such as machine gun ammunition belts, buckets of bullets, snipers, explosives and rocket launchers.
The raid which took place on Wednesday involved over 11,000 police and soldiers with high weaponry seeking to take control of the facility allegedly from the Tren de Aragua gang.
Authorities also revealed that the gang had turned the prison into a headquarters described as the “little city”, discovering a nightclub, a swimming pool, zoo and casino.
President Maduro, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the country is heading towards a gang-free dispensation while congratulating the troops.
“…congratulate the more than 11,000 members of the FANB [National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela] and police forces for the successful intervention of the Tocoron Penitentiary Center. We are heading towards a Venezuela free of criminal gangs!"
Interior and Justice Minister Remigio Ceballos noted that one soldier was killed in the operation which was planned for a year adding that all criminals and accomplices must be brought to justice.
“There will be no impunity. We will act against all the criminals and accomplices. The successful operation that allowed us to strike a blow against criminal groups."
The wives or girlfriends of the inmates were dislodged from the facility and it was later revealed that zoo animals kept in the facility has died due to wide fires sparked by the prisoners.
Mining has become increasingly popular in the country with cheap power due to
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