Chile charges 55 in Codelco copper theft ring; ex-police officer named leader

Chilean prosecutors formally charged 55 individuals for systematic copper theft from Codelco's El Teniente division and cable theft from telecoms, with a former Carabineros member identified as the ringleader. The case highlights organized crime's penetration of state mining infrastructure and potential revenue losses for the world's largest copper producer. The extent of the theft's financial impact and any internal complicity remain unclear.

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