More than two kilometres of live overhead power cables have been stolen from Marsaxlokk and neighbouring localities in recent weeks, with thieves risking potentially lethal voltages for a measly €3 per metre. The thefts have left dozens of homes in the dark and sparked an intense police investigation.
Sources close to the investigation said thieves are believed to be operating in an organised group, cutting off large lengths of cable, extracting copper filaments and selling it on the black market.
The copper culprits, who police suspect may include people with close links to Enemalta, are believed to have been prompted by an increase in the international price of the metal earlier this year.
However, despite the recent price hike, the 2,240 metres of stolen cables would only have fetched around €8,000 at ironmongers, an amount that barely justifies the risk of tampering with the high-voltage wiring.
Enemalta engineer Jonathon Scerri, responsible for the State energy provider’s generation and distribution division, said the thieves were risking electrocution with every theft.
“Any unauthorised interference presents critical safety risks... working on live cables in normal circumstances is in itself a delicate operation. Tampering with them with intent to steal them is extremely dangerous. Any form of electrical equipment tampering can be lethal and should never be considered,” he said.
The black overhead cables carry as much as 400 volts, which is more than enough to lethally shock someone.
Asked whether the theft could affect the national power supply or possibly damage domestic appliances, Mr Scerri said nothing could be excluded as destabilising the national power grid could affect supply in different ways depending on a number of factors.
The thefts have been anything but subtle.
Two heists in Marsaxlokk saw just shy of a kilometre worth of cable stolen in two days on September 29 and October 1.
The gang is estimated to have made around €3,000 from the two robberies that left entire streets in blackout for hours.
Locations have varied, with some in residential areas and others on quiet country roads.
Another two thefts happened on October 20 with nearly half a kilometre of cable stolen from Għaxaq and Birżebbuġa.
The gang would have raked in around €1,600 from this theft.
In total the gang has so far struck seven times. The group, however, seems to be slowing down with no incidents reported since Times of Malta first published details of the copper theft last month.
Meanwhile, Enemalta is calling for information that could help apprehend the perpetrators.
“This theft has to stop, not only because we are wasting time and resources but also because it poses a great danger to pedestrians, drivers, residents and employees,” a spokesman for the power provider said.