Chilean authorities said they have dismantled a massive criminal syndicate accused of stealing and illegally exporting $917 million worth of copper to Asia over a five-year period. During a nationwide sweep dubbed Operation "High Voltage," Chilean police raided more than 50 locations, arresting 28 people and seizing 187 tons of stolen copper, along with dozens of properties, vehicles, and firearms.
Investigators said the stolen metal was primarily smuggled to buyers in China between 2020 and 2025. The high-stakes theft highlights supply chain vulnerabilities in Chile, which is the world’s largest copper producer and accounts for roughly 27 percent of the global supply.
