Brazil police dismantle electricity theft networks in Várzea Grande and Pará

Police operations in Brazil targeted illegal electricity‑theft schemes, known locally as “gato”. In Várzea Grande, the Civil Police’s Operation Gateiro arrested a 53‑year‑old businessman and the manager of a drug‑rehabilitation centre for repeatedly defrauding energy meters, continuing investigations begun in the 2025 Operation Curto‑Circuito.

In the city of Canaã dos Carajás, Pará, a joint task force of civil and scientific police, assisted by the utility Equatorial Pará, identified ten commercial premises – including a hotel, bar and two supermarkets – that had altered or bypassed meters. The illicit connections diverted roughly 72,650 kWh per month, enough to supply about 290 average households, while endangering the local grid and residents.

Both operations involved police, technical experts and the electricity distributors, aiming to stop fraud that causes significant financial loss to utilities and risks public safety.