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Chilean Authorities Bust $917M Copper Smuggling Network

4/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Chilean authorities dismantled Operation High Voltage, a network that moved US$917 million of stolen copper to China over five years.
The network shipped stolen copper to Iquique disguised as scrap cargo.
It also claimed more than US$55 million in export value-added tax (VAT) refunds.
The operation produced 25 arrests, raids of 49 properties, seizures of 187 tonnes of copper, 40 vehicles, and 11 firearms, with copper valued at US$2.2 million.

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Story summary

Chilean authorities dismantled Operation High Voltage, a network that moved US$917 million of stolen copper to China over five years.
The network shipped stolen copper to Iquique disguised as scrap cargo.
It also claimed more than US$55 million in export value-added tax (VAT) refunds.
The operation produced 25 arrests, raids of 49 properties, seizures of 187 tonnes of copper, 40 vehicles, and 11 firearms, with copper valued at US$2.2 million.