PANews reported on March 5th that, according to CriptoNoticias, Catalan police in Barcelona province uncovered an illegal Bitcoin mining operation operating 88 ASIC miners via an illegal connection to a high-voltage power grid. According to calculations by Spain's national electricity company Endesa, the stolen energy was worth €860,643, one of the highest amounts stolen from the region's industrial sector in recent years.

Police investigations began in October 2025 when abnormal electrical activity was detected in the industrial building, but a search was not conducted until February 26th of this year. A preliminary technical report indicated that the facility lacked meters and protection systems, and was directly connected to the grid via a three-phase system, posing a risk of overload and fire, and potentially jeopardizing the power supply to nearby businesses. A 34-year-old Asian suspect appeared in Manreza court on March 3rd, and the proceedings primarily focus on allegations of electricity theft.