KUCHING: Several cryptocurrency mining operators at Bandar Baru Permyjaya, Piasau Jaya, Marina Square, Desa Senadin and Desa Pujut in Miri were caught stealing electricity during a special operation recently.

Sarawak Energy’s operations and retail arm, Syarikat Sesco Berhad (Sesco) together with Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) inspectors from the Ministry of Utilities and the police worked together in the one-day operation which made a sweeping check of the cryptocurrency premises after months of surveillance works.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Miri magistrate’s court, the party was able to uncover the tactics used by the operators to hide their illegal activities from being detected. They had covered the meter access using aluminum sheets, and closed their respective premises’ shutters to prevent Sesco personnel from carrying out meter reading work.

Twelve power meters were found to have been tampered with by connecting cables from the meters’ cut-outs directly into the premises’ isolators to bypass the meters.

The tampered meters were later seized as evidence before replacing them with new ones. A police report was also lodged for further investigation and action.

Sesco will continue to actively carry out joint operations with the police and EIU to curb power theft activities throughout the state.

Stealing electricity is a crime that endangers lives, can cause damage to customers’ electrical appliances and even lead to fires.

Those found guilty will be charged under Section 33 (5) of the Electricity Ordinance, which carries a penalty of RM100,000 and/or five years’ imprisonment.

Members of the public can contact Sesco on power theft information via Sesco hotline at 082-443535. All information given will be treated as confidential.