Greek Officials Crack Case Of Copper Wire Thefts In Attica

Greek officials arrested busted a network charged with stealing copper wires from Public Power Corporation (PPC) infrastructure in the western suburbs of Attica. According to press reports six people were arrested while a seventh is still at large.

Interestingly, the alleged ring leader is a 72-year-old Greek national who owns a scrapyard and his suspected accomplices are five Pakistanis, aged 25-36 years old. The accused are charged with stealing copper wiring from PPC installations in various areas of Attica and especially in Aspropyrgos, Mandra, Elefsina and Megara. The stolen copper was stored in the 72-year-old's scrapyard to be sold for 5000 euros per ton.

Police officials said that at least 55 tons of copper had been sold during the last five months alone, and the ring leader is suspected of earning at least 275,000 Euros.

While investigating the case, the police also discovered and confiscated eight tons of copper wires, a Makarov handgun and seven cartridges, a truck and three vehicles. In addition, authorities were able to solve a total of 68 cases of reported theft, specifically 39 in Aspropyrgos, 18 in Mandra and 11 in Megara, which reports add were related to the ring's activity.