Paraná cities address illegal cable installations and theft of electrical wires

In Maringá, a joint task force led by the electric utility Copel and monitored by the consumer‑protection agency Procon has removed more than 17 tonnes of irregular telecom and telephone cables from utility poles this year. The effort, divided across 16 city zones, has resulted in 400 notifications to service providers and the emergency removal of 219 cables, aiming to improve public safety and ensure compliance with ANEEL and ANATEL regulations.

In the nearby municipality of Tibagi, approximately 40 metres of electric cable were stolen from the Recicla Tibagi recycling unit in the industrial district. Police opened an investigation after the theft was discovered on 4 April, adding to a series of recent cable‑theft incidents that have disrupted public facilities and required costly repairs.

Both incidents highlight ongoing challenges with infrastructure security and regulatory enforcement in the state of Paraná.