Two Men Arrested After Alleged Copper Theft at Lanzarote Water Treatment Plant
Two men have been arrested following an alleged attempt to steal valuable copper from a wastewater treatment plant in Lanzarote, in an incident that highlights the ongoing issue of metal theft from critical infrastructure across Spain.
The arrests were made by officers from Arrecife Local Police after they were alerted by colleagues from Teguise Local Police, who had received a report of suspicious activity at the Lanzarote Water Consortium’s wastewater treatment plant near the LZ-34 road.
Police Discover Signs of Forced Entry
When officers arrived at the facility, they found the entrance had allegedly been forced open. A broken padlock and a crowbar were discovered at the scene, prompting police to search the premises.
During their search, officers located two men hiding inside the treatment plant. Police reported that the site showed signs of disturbance, with evidence suggesting that copper, a highly valuable metal widely used in electrical infrastructure, had been removed.
Tools Seized
The two suspects, aged 20 and 39 and both reported to be Lanzarote residents, were arrested on suspicion of theft.
Police also seized several tools believed to have been used during the incident, including:
- A crowbar
- A sledgehammer (maul)
- A wrench
- A cold chisel
- A wheel wrench
- The damaged padlock
The suspects were taken to the National Police station, where they were placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities.
Water Consortium to File Complaint
Following the incident, officers informed the Lanzarote Water Consortium, which confirmed it intends to file an official complaint.
Copper theft is treated seriously because, while the metal itself has significant resale value, the damage caused to essential infrastructure often far exceeds the value of the stolen material. Repairs to water, electrical and telecommunications facilities can be costly and may disrupt public services.
What This Means for Lanzarote
Although this incident did not result in any reported disruption to the island’s water supply, it serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting essential public infrastructure.
Authorities continue to encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious activity around industrial sites, water facilities or utility infrastructure to report it promptly.
