Two suspects tied to a South American cargo theft ring have been arrested after Los Angeles police recovered more than $3.9 million in stolen goods, including a $2.7 million Bitcoin mining computer intercepted at LAX.
Detectives from the LAPD Cargo Theft Forces, working with the Port of Los Angeles Police and other agencies, arrested Oscar David Bolero Mancola, 41, and Yonaiker Rafael Martinez Ramos, 25, to investigate stolen cargo related to the South American Theft group.
Mining equipment was collected as it had been loaded onto a plane heading to Hong Kong. The seizures highlight the scale and refinement of ongoing cargo theft operations targeting high-value technology cargo.
Bitcoin (BTC) mining computers that require heavy investment and are often in high demand, have a growing target for organized theft groups.
Authorities also recovered $1.2 million in additional stolen items, including tequila, electronics and pet food, from storage units in the San Fernando Valley.
Borrero-Manchola was cited and released, but Martinez-Ramos is in custody on a warrant without bail.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities warn that more arrests could continue as law enforcement continues to work to protect commercial freight routes.
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