Police in Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, have detained a seven‑person gang responsible for stealing copper and aluminum wires from power poles across multiple districts. The raid recovered 7 kg of burnt copper, 150 kg of aluminum, a vehicle and theft tools.

Key Takeaways

  • Seven members of an inter‑district theft gang arrested
  • 7 kg burnt copper and 150 kg aluminum seized
  • Stolen wires spanned Prakasam, Bapatla, Guntur, Palnadu

Police in Prakasam district on Monday busted an inter‑district gang that had been cutting and stealing copper and aluminum wires from electrical poles and transformers in agricultural fields. The operation, led by Circle Inspector P. Seshagiri Rao, resulted in the arrest of seven suspects.

According to investigators, the group—comprised of friends lured by quick cash—roamed the fields of Prakasam, Bapatla, Guntur and Palnadu districts, slicing aluminum from power poles to sell on the black market. Their most recent theft occurred on July 30 at P.V.R. Residency in Santhamaguluru.

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Using technical surveillance, police intercepted the gang near the Gangamma temple, in front of the elementary school at Santhamaguluru ‘X’ Road junction. Seized items included 7 kg of burnt copper wire, 150 kg of aluminum wire, a car and various cutting tools.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that organized metal theft disrupts rural electrification projects and inflates repair costs for state utilities, affecting farmers’ productivity across Andhra Pradesh.

"The loss of critical infrastructure not only raises electricity costs but also hampers agricultural output," says security analyst Dr. Ravi Kumar.

Superintendent of Police Harshavardhan Raju praised the officers for their swift action and announced tighter monitoring to prevent future incidents.

Did You Know?: India loses an estimated 10,000 tonnes of copper annually to theft, significantly impacting the national energy budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Did the gang target only copper, or other metals as well?

Answer: The investigation revealed they stole both copper (in burnt form) and aluminum wires.

Question 2: What measures will police adopt to curb future thefts?

Answer: Authorities plan to install CCTV on high‑risk poles and deploy rapid‑response teams for real‑time monitoring.