Japanese police arrest suspects in massive solar plant copper theft

Police in Japan have arrested two Vietnamese nationals, aged 25 and 27, in connection with the large-scale theft of copper cables from solar power facilities in Fukui and Mie prefectures. The suspects are accused of stealing approximately 13 tons of copper wire, totaling roughly 9 kilometers in length, with an estimated market value exceeding 54 million yen.

A joint investigation involving six prefectural police forces suggests the theft was carried out by an organized, fluid criminal group. Investigators have also arrested a third suspect, a Thai national, on suspicion of violating laws against organized crime by using a pseudonym to sell a portion of the stolen goods to a metal buyer in Aichi Prefecture for approximately 4.4 million yen.

The suspects, who were colleagues, allegedly used social media to recruit members for the operation. While the primary suspects have denied the charges, authorities are investigating similar incidents reported in Ishikawa, Shiga, and Sakai prefectures to determine the full extent of the group's activities.