The mining farm was exposed after an investigation into the suspicious power usage at the school.
In December 2021, Cohasset Middle-High School officials became suspicious when they discovered stray electrical wires and ductwork that seemed out of place. Upon further investigation, the Cohasset Police Department uncovered a cryptocurrency mining rig that had been secretly installed in the school's crawl space, illegally siphoning power from the school's electrical grid.
Cohasset is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts where the report revealed that approximately $18,000 worth of electricity had been stolen between April and December 2021. Upon further investigation, police discovered eleven GPUs, typically used for cryptocurrency mining, as well as coolers and other electrical equipment, hidden in the crawl space. This event has highlighted the possibility of other such setups in incentivized power grids.
Nadeam Nahas, the accused, was a 39-year-old Assistant Facility Director for the town until he resigned in March 2022. He is facing charges of fraudulent use of electricity and vandalism of a school, but he failed to appear in court and a judge issued a default warrant after rejecting a defense motion to reschedule.
The legal and environmental implications of illegal mining can have a detrimental effect on the legitimate mining industry, driving up electricity costs and making it increasingly difficult for lawful miners to remain competitive. This can ultimately lead to a decrease in the profitability of the cryptocurrency market and a reduction in investment in the industry, creating a ripple effect of negative consequences.
One of the most effective measures to ensure the security of cryptocurrency mining is to implement strict regulations and require miners to register and obtain the necessary licenses. This will help to ensure that miners are operating in a safe and responsible manner, while also providing greater transparency and accountability in the industry.
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