tl;dr
Los Angeles Police Department detectives recovered over $3.9 million in stolen goods, including Bitcoin miners worth $2.7 million, from a San Pedro warehouse linked to a South American cargo theft ring. Two suspects, Oscar David Borrero-Manchola and Yonaiker Rafael Martinez-Ramos, were arrested. The...
Los Angeles Police Department detectives recovered over $3.9 million in stolen goods from a San Pedro warehouse linked to a South American cargo theft ring, including Bitcoin miners valued at $2.7 million.
Two suspects, Oscar David Borrero-Manchola (41) and Yonaiker Rafael Martinez-Ramos (25), were arrested for their prominent roles in the theft operation. The seizure also included $1.2 million worth of other stolen merchandise such as tequila, speakers, coffee, clothing, shoes, body wash, and pet food.
The Bitcoin miners were discovered in cargo containers destined for Hong Kong, emphasizing the international scope of the operation. This action is part of ongoing collaborative law enforcement efforts involving the LAPD Cargo Theft Unit, Los Angeles Port Police, Union Pacific Police, and Airport Police to combat cargo theft and disrupt criminal networks.
Notably, this case adds to a series of recent recoveries involving stolen Bitcoin mining equipment across the U.S. For instance, in July 2024, the LAPD arrested an individual in possession of stolen Bitcoin miners worth $579,000, and Baton Rouge police seized 250 stolen miners from an abandoned warehouse in Louisiana.
A Bitcoin miner, essentially a specialized computer, solves complex mathematical problems to validate Bitcoin transactions and earns cryptocurrency as a reward, making it a valuable target for thieves.
The investigation remains active with the possibility of additional arrests as law enforcement continues dismantling this cargo theft ring and protecting commercial transport operations.