By Chris Hollingworth 
Paraguayan authorities recently took action against individuals attempting to steal crypto miners at a facility near the country’s Itaipu hydroelectric dam. Three Chinese nationals, namely Jinping Duan, Tian Jianyun, and Zheng Guanglong, were deported for their involvement, as they lacked official entry records into the country and were believed to have entered illegally through Brazil or Bolivia. Another individual, Nahun María Velázquez Garcete, a legal resident in Paraguay, was arrested on charges of aggravated theft and is currently in pretrial detention.
The incident unfolded when the men were caught by law enforcement while breaking into a locked section of Teratech SA’s facility in Coronel Bogado. It is suspected that the individuals may have had ties to Teratech as independent contractors, although official confirmation from the company’s CEO is awaited. Authorities are also exploring the possibility of additional accomplices in the attempted theft.
Deportees Jinping Duan, Tian Jianyun, and Zheng Guanglong, were pictured before leaving the country. The arrested individual, Nahun María Velázquez Garcete, was hospitalized in critical condition post-arrest, although the specifics of the injuries sustained were not disclosed. Paraguayan officials are actively investigating the case to identify any other individuals involved in the criminal activity.
According to Paraguayan prosecutor Irene Rolón, the deported undocumented immigrants may have been residing in the country for several months and were potentially working as programmers, although the exact nature of their work relationship with the company remains unclear. Paraguay’s favorable conditions for crypto mining, including abundant renewable energy resources such as those provided by the Itaipu dam, have attracted miners seeking low-cost energy solutions. The surplus electricity generated by the dam has made it an attractive location for mining operations, leveraging the country’s energy infrastructure effectively.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to uncover more details surrounding the attempted theft and the individuals involved. The case underscores the importance of maintaining security measures in crypto mining facilities and highlights the potential risks associated with unauthorized access to valuable mining equipment.
