The ROCA Team of the Calp Civil Guard, within the framework of the National Plan against copper theft, has developed an investigation that has made it possible to clarify the origin of a significant amount of stolen copper wiring.
The performance, called Phone25 operation, had its origin in a administrative inspection performed in a metal recycling center DéniaDuring the inspection, the officers intervened 2.500 kilograms of copper wiring telephony.
Subsequent investigations determined that the seized material came from thefts committed in Benissa and Alfàs del PiAccording to the investigation, those responsible for the robberies belonged to a installation company telecommunications.
Theft of old lines
The workers came to perform fiber optic installations and, taking advantage of these interventions, they proceeded to to remove the old telephone linesThis method allowed the removal of the cabling without raising immediate suspicion, as the actions appeared to be authorized.
Workers and manager of the center under investigation
As a result of the operation, they have been Five workers under investigation as suspected perpetrators of the thefts. The investigation has also focused on recycling center manager, who is accused of crimes of receiving stolen goods and document forgery.
According to the Civil Guard, the manager allegedly falsified the personal data of the sellers in order not to raise suspicions during possible inspections.
The Civil Guard has highlighted that these actions have allowed to neutralize criminal activity that was seriously affecting critical communications infrastructure.
Furthermore, he emphasized that, beyond the economic damage, these crimes generate a situation of special vulnerability in small populations, which may remain temporarily without landline telephone communication.
Copper is stolen because undesirable people buy it below its value knowing that it is stolen.