The Motor Unit have charged three contractors with allegedly stealing and on selling over $1 million worth of copper, which is known to have come from stolen infrastructure.
In February, detectives attached to State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad Motor Unit commenced an investigation into reports contractors were repeatedly removing copper cabling before selling it to unauthorised scrap metal merchants for profit, under the guise of legitimate business.
About 8.30am on Thursday 21 March 2024, officers attached to the Motor Unit attended a scrapyard in Ingleburn where they recovered and seized approximately $200,000 worth of unlawfully obtained copper.
About 12pm the same day, officers then executed a search warrant on Hepher Road in Campbelltown where they arrested two men – aged 48 and 43.
During the search, police recovered an additional $105,000 worth of copper cabling.
The men were taken to Campbelltown Police Station before being released a short time later.
Following further inquiries, on Friday 22 March 2024, the men were each issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for larceny as bailee property value >$15000 to appear in Campbelltown Local Court today (Wednesday 8 May 2024).
About 9.40am on Thursday 9 May 2024, detectives arrested a 32-year-old man at Fairfield Police Station.
He was charged with three counts of larceny as bailee property value greater than $15,000 and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
The 32-year-old was refused bail and appeared before Fairfield Local Court on Friday 10 May 2024.
Police will allege in court the three men stole more than $2.5 million worth of copper since February 2024.
Commander of State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad, Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, confirmed police are focussing their efforts to combat copper theft.
"Stealing copper isn't just hazardous, it's also unlawful, and the Motor Unit is fully equipped to detect and address such crimes," said Det Supt Arbinja.
"With police stepping up their efforts against copper theft, it's inevitable anyone responsible will be caught and put before the courts – and that includes the scrap metal merchants."
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
