(April 8): Chilean authorities dismantled a criminal network dedicated to large-scale copper theft, following a multi-agency investigation known as “Operation High Voltage”. The network moved an estimated 817 billion pesos (RM3.64 billion) of copper between 2020 and 2025 while fraudulently obtaining more than 58 billion pesos in export-related VAT refunds, according to a police statement. The crime network shows both the profitability and sophistication of copper theft in a country that is the world’s largest producer of the metal. The group operated across several regions — allegedly stealing copper and trucking it to the northern port city of Iquique. Authorities also seized 187 metric tonnes of copper, worth about US$2.2 million (RM8.75 million) at current prices; 40 vehicles; and 11 firearms.

Source: The Edge Markets April 08, 2026 14:30 UTC