Copper Cable Theft Cases Skyrocketed in Medellin, Colombia

According to the company, it has witnessed a staggering 438% year-on-year rise in theft of its communication infrastructure, primarily copper cables and wires over the past one year.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The communication infrastructure of leading internet service provider Tigo Une seems to be threatened by rising incidents of copper wire and cable thefts in Medellin, Colombia. The online report published by the company cites alarming rise in illegal copper trade activity.

According to the company, it has witnessed a staggering 438% year-on-year rise in theft of its communication infrastructure, primarily copper cables and wires over the past one year. Apart from grinding communication in the region, such illegal acts have caused millions to the company. As per rough estimates, the ongoing theft of copper has led to losses of around $830,000 for the company in the initial six months of the current year, in replacement of the stolen items.

Nearly 245,000 feet of copper cable were stolen by thieves during the period until October this year. Surprisingly, almost 80% of the above incidents were reported in the city of Medellin. The theft rate has skyrocketed following the economic crisis resulting from the pandemic.

The rise in theft is quite evident from the exceedingly high copper export figures in Colombia this year. Colombia exports nearly 50,000 tons of copper every year, although it produces only very less quantities of mined copper.

Tigo Une owns much of the city’s communication infrastructure.

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