State police chief M Kumar said three men, aged between 40 and 48, were arrested during an operation dubbed “Op Letrik”, which ran from April 22 to 23.

Kumar said the operation was carried out by the criminal investigation department in collaboration with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

“Checks at nine premises across Johor Bahru, Seri Alam, Kulai, Segamat and Tangkak led to the seizure of 87 bitcoin mining machines worth RM217,500,” he said in a statement today.

“Police also seized multiple laptops, mobile phones, routers and door keys connected to the illegal operation.”

Kumar said the syndicate had been operating from residential units and shoplots to avoid detection, causing TNB to suffer losses amounting to RM1.29 million.

The case is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for causing mischief and Section 37(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990 for tampering with the electrical infrastructure.