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CFE proposes prison time for electricity theft

Chetumal, Q.R. — In order to avoid additional losses, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) is reaching out to the Senate of the Republic to request prison time for those caught tampering with and/or stealing electricity.

The move comes after la Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) claimed more than 5.9 billion peso in losses, a figure they say is an annual loss. The company says the losses are not only from theft through illegal hookups, but also from meter tampering.

La Comisión Federal de Electricidad says the three main causes of losses are organized crime, civil resistance and irregular settlements. CFE has proposed a 16 to 20 prison sentence for those found guilty of preventing or altering the operation of light meters to such an extent that the grievance amounts to more than one million kilowatts per hour, or for those that have electric service without a formal contract.

Armado Guadiana, president of la Comisión de Energía del Senado, said the current administration has not taken decisive actions to combat energy theft.