The Trinidad & Tobago Scrap Iron Dealers Association says consideration should be given to temporarily banning the purchase and export of copper.
This comes as it condemned recent acts of vandalism at T&TEC and WASA stations.
This week alone, an incident at T&TEC led to a significant voltage dip, while the theft of electrical components at WASA stations in Biche and Tabaquite led to water disruptions.
TTSIDA says the matter was discussed during the monthly meeting of the Scrap Metal Working Group, which was appointed by the Ministry of Trade.
It notes increasing incidents of copper theft and recommended consideration for the temporary ban until proper regulations and monitoring mechanisms are established to effectively address the issue.
The Association adds that it remains committed to protecting the integrity of the scrap metal industry and ensuring that legitimate operators are not associated with criminal activities.
To that effect, it is encouraging all scrap metal dealers to exercise due diligence when conducting business and to immediately report any suspicious transactions or activities to the appropriate authorities.
