An illegal cryptocurrency mine has been uncovered following a raid on what police thought was a cannabis farm.

About 100 machines were found at an industrial unit in Sandwell in the West Midlands, with thousands of pounds of electricity thought to have been stolen to keep the operation going.

Officers raided the site on 18 May after obtaining a warrant when evidence suggested it was being used to grow cannabis.

This included sending up a drone and noting the higher-than-normal temperatures at the complex.

However, upon entering the unit they discovered the bank of machines, with a bird’s nest of cables and heat venting ducts.

Officers from West Midlands Police believe the array was being used to mine the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.

In order to “mine” a Bitcoin, a computer needs to carry out complex calculations that require a lot of time and electricity – generating a large amount of heat in the process.

The scale of power draw required for Bitcoin mining worldwide has been noted as an environmental concern.

A single Bitcoin is worth around £26,000 at the time of writing, although the price is notoriously volatile.

In a statement, West Midlands Police said: “We heard how lots of people were visiting the unit at different times of day, lots of wiring and ventilation ducts were visible, and a police drone picked up a considerable heat source from above.

“They are all classic cannabis factory signs – but when officers gained entry they found a huge bank of around 100 computer units as part of what’s understood to be a Bitcoin mining operation.

“The IT equipment was seized and enquiries with Western Power revealed the electric supply had been bypassed and thousands of pounds worth had been stolen to power the ‘mine’.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sergeant Jennifer Griffin said: “It’s certainly not what we were expecting! It had all the hallmarks of a cannabis cultivation set-up and I believe it’s only the second such crypto mine we’ve encountered in the West Midlands.”

She added: “We’ve seized the equipment and will be looking into permanently seizing it under the Proceeds of Crime Act. No-one was at the unit at the time of the warrant and no arrests have been made – but we’ll be making enquiries with the unit’s owner.”

Related posts:

Vaccine hesitancy among black people in UK halves, new data suggests Doreen Lawrence says government’s race review gives ‘racists the green light’ Probation had ‘no concerns’ over Fishmongers’ Hall killer Usman Khan E-fit released of suspect after 15-year-old girl raped in sea off Bournemouth beach Man arrested and dozens of homes in Derby evacuated after suspicious items found Next virus could be ‘more contagious’ and ‘more lethal’, warns Oxford vaccine creator Investigation launched into ‘disrespectful’ trespassing at Manchester Arena memorial Prince Harry says job resignations spurred on by COVID pandemic ‘aren’t all bad’ in mental health Q&A Tommy Fury branded ‘boxing’s biggest b****’ after withdrawing from Jake Paul fight Will cutting VAT on energy bills help consumers? Mum’s anger as daughter, 18, died of cancer on same day as Downing Street party Met Office warns flights could be cancelled as dense fog to hit southern UK