Brazil arrests four in Maracaju, four in Tavares for energy theft

In the municipality of Maracaju, Mato Grosso do Sul, a joint task force of the state Civil Police, forensic experts and the local electricity concessionaire carried out the "Operação Luz Legal" on 9 March. The operation inspected 42 properties, confirming illegal connections in eight sites and resulting in four people being arrested for electricity theft. Officials warned that such clandestine wiring, known as "gato," poses fire, shock and grid‑instability risks.

A similar raid took place on 8 March in Tavares, Paraíba, where the Civil Police and the distributor Energisa detained another four suspects after uncovering fraud at a convenience store and three large residences. Energisa’s commercial manager Danillo Lelis said, “Besides being a crime, energy theft puts lives at risk,” noting the danger of unsafely installed lines. Both operations are part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal power use across Brazil.