Over 110 held over electricity theft

One hundred and ten persons have been arrested for electricity theft following raids by the power company in several areas over the last two weeks.

A press release from the company yesterday said that it was determined to send a strong message to those persons who insist on stealing electricity and personnel of its loss reduction unit have been operating in almost every area, conducting raids both day and night.

At Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, the company said, six persons were arrested and four summoned to court over stealing electricity.

Two persons from Cornelia Ida, two from Sisters Village and another two from Edinburgh, West Bank Demerara are also among those arrested, the company said, adding that a total of 60 were also caught in Sophia with 11 facing charges of electricity theft.

Five persons from Ruimveldt, three from Vryheid’s Lust and 15 collectively from Haslington, Annandale and Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara were also arrested.
Other areas from which persons were arrested include Bladen Hall, Nabaclis and Triumph and Mocha on the East Bank Demerara.

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) warned that it intends to seek out all those persons who are involved and have them face the full force of the law.
It reminded too that the penalty for stealing electricity is a fine of $50,000 and a mandatory sentence of one year imprisonment.

“No one would be spared. This determined stance by GPL comes as the company intends to drastically reduce its losses associated with electricity theft,” the statement also urged.