Greek Police on Wednesday launched a large-scale operation in the Thessaly plain city of Karditsa targeting a criminal network allegedly involved in thefts of power transformers belonging to national electricity distribution operator.

Authorities said 20 suspects had been arrested so far in connection with the alleged criminal organization, which is accused of systematically stealing electrical transformers from the national grid infrastructure.

Transformer thefts have become an increasing concern across Greece over the years, particularly in rural and provincial areas, as criminal gangs target copper and other valuable metals for resale on the black market. The incidents have caused repeated power disruptions and extensive damage to electricity infrastructure, prompting intensified police investigations and stricter monitoring of scrap metal trafficking networks.

Further details on the identities of those arrested and the scope of the alleged operation were not immediately released.