The Guardia Civil has arrested a worker accused of stealing 3.5 tonnes of copper and aluminium cabling from a major solar plant in Murcia.
The investigation, carried out under the Guardia Civil’s plan to combat copper theft, uncovered the disappearance of more than 4,000 metres of metal cabling from the energy facility, causing significant damage and operational disruption.
Officers from the ROCA rural crime team identified the suspect after cross-checking evidence from the solar plant thefts with inspection records from metal recycling centres. Investigators found that the same person had been selling large quantities of copper and aluminium cable to scrapyards over several weeks.
In one transaction alone, nearly one tonne of cabling was reportedly handed over. Officers said the scale and presentation of the material were incompatible with normal legal activity.
Further enquiries established that the suspect was employed by the multinational company managing the solar plant and allegedly used his position to remove the material before selling it on.
The Guardia Civil has now arrested him as the alleged perpetrator of a continued offence of theft.
Investigators said the size and strategic importance of the solar facility made the thefts especially damaging, given the economic losses and potential impact on electricity production infrastructure.
