This metal has always aroused the greed of thieves who do not hesitate to seize electrical cables of all kinds. In French Guiana, the problem has become critical because it seems that this very useful metal is resold in Brazil or Suriname, which are nearby.
A massive theft of copper in the country
The representatives from French Guiana say they are facing a particularly serious problem since the offenders are now using their ingenuity. Stealing the cables that correspond to a shop’s alarm allows them to burglarize it afterwards and then resell the metal at a high price in neighboring countries.
The latest known case left 12 000 people without telephone and Internet service because all the corresponding copper had been stolen. Copper theft has become a far too frequent problem.
A particularly extensive network
French Guiana has become the perfect target because Brazil and Suriname buy this copper without worrying about its origin. The volume being sold should raise alarms but it seems that a perfectly organized network is responsible for these acts.
The scrap dealers of these countries are being singled out by French Guiana because they are more interested par the supply of copper than in taking part in the fight against this scourge. The authorities of French Guiana therefore count on France to put an end to these too numerous incidents by working in collaboration with the authorities of Brazil and Suriname.