Seven individuals, comprising six men and one woman, have been formally charged with electricity theft from the national grid on Wednesday in the municipalities of Bombarral, Óbidos, and Lourinhã. This development emerges amid an investigation that also successfully dismantled three industrial cryptocurrency mining operations.
In a statement released on Friday, the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) reported that the investigation commenced in early November, leading to “police operations culminating in five raids—three residential and two in warehouses.”
The GNR subsequently dismantled three industrial cryptocurrency mining operations located in warehouses and residences in A-dos-Ruivos (Bombarral), Olho Marinho (Óbidos), and Reguengo Grande (Lourinhã).
The facilities were illegally drawing electricity from the national grid, with estimated stolen energy valued over 292,000 euros. Besides the theft, the high consumption level resulted in significant distortions and faults in the electrical network, causing supply issues for local residents in the mentioned areas.
Among the seven charged, two individuals had prior criminal records for similar offences. The matters have been referred to the Judicial Courts of Caldas da Rainha and Lourinhã.
