Srikakulam district police have successfully dismantled a gang involved in stealing copper wires and components from agricultural transformers across the district. District superintendent of police K.V. Maheswara Reddy announced on Sunday that eight adults and two juveniles were arrested in Ranasthalam mandal in connection with 33 theft cases impacting 53 transformers in the areas of JR Puram, Etcherla, Laveru, G. Sigadam, and Kogunuru police stations.

The police seized stolen property valued at around ₹1.5 crore, including 350 kg of copper wire, 286 kg of copper ingots, and 5 kg of aluminum wire. The investigation began following a theft reported on November 1, when the gang targeted a 16 KVA transformer in Mahantipalem village, stealing 12 kg of copper wire.

The operation’s mastermind, identified as Kuppili Varaprasad, 23, an electrician, allegedly recruited young men to assist in the thefts. The gang would sell the stolen materials in Visakhapatnam, splitting the proceeds among themselves. All individuals involved are charged under Section 303(2) of the BNS Act. The police continue to investigate, ensuring that this crackdown brings an end to transformer thefts in the district.

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