Trinidad and Tobago Suffers from Copper Price-Driven Crime Wave

The price of copper on the London Metal Exchange has surged by 42% in the past year, reaching $13,000 to $13,800 per metric tonne. This increase is driving a black market for stolen copper in Trinidad and Tobago, with thieves targeting critical infrastructure such as water and electricity systems.

Economist Dr Jamelia Harris attributes the problem to economics, stating that 'it's not surprising' that copper theft has increased globally, including in countries like the US, South Africa, and Japan.

The black market is causing widespread disruptions, with telecom providers Flow and TSTT reporting significant damage to their networks. The companies are urging a more coordinated approach to combatting the issue, which they say is not just an economic problem but also affects communities reliant on telecommunications services.