Czech Republic energy giant CEZ, has been maintaining a special paramilitary unit to use against customers who steal electricity or evade payments.
The police organized crime unit, launched an investigation against the 70 percent state-owned power company in late 2008. It opened the case after receiving repeated complaints that power-company employees were unlawfully entering private property and blackmailing payment dodgers—threatening them with big penalties or permanent electricity disconnection.
Czech media broke news of the special unit, called the Non-Technical Losses section, when they were handed three hours of video footage that police had confiscated from the commando. The video showed how special unit members were trained in self-defense, shooting, breaking-and-entering, and survival in extreme conditions.
One recording of a commando raid conducted back in 2005 was especially gruesome. When a regular CEZ employee went to the home of a suspected power-thief to check his electricity supply, the customer locked himself in the basement. Later, the special unit arrived at his door. After his wife opened, they persuaded her to go with them to unlock the basement. She finally agreed and opened the door. Inside her husband was lying on the floor, motionless, having just committed suicide.
The company expressed its regret about the tragedy, which has been investigated by police.
CEZ spokesman said that the special training was necessary since employees who deal with electricity theft are often verbally or physically attacked. Since 2006, the company has uncovered 86 illegal marijuana farms.
“Our men have been confronted with tens of attacks by enraged dogs and also threatened with weapons,” said a company statement.
According to company statistics, Czechs stole more than 21,000 MWh of electricity in 2009, which amounts to consumption levels of a city of several tens of thousands.
The rate of electricity theft has been growing over the last decade, as energy prices increased in the country. When violators became more aggressive, CEZ decided to give their special unit special training from a former commander of the police paramilitary unit.
The police organized crime unit, launched an investigation against the 70 percent state-owned power company in late 2008. It opened the case after receiving repeated complaints that power-company employees were unlawfully entering private property and blackmailing payment dodgers—threatening them with big penalties or permanent electricity disconnection.
Czech media broke news of the special unit, called the Non-Technical Losses section, when they were handed three hours of video footage that police had confiscated from the commando. The video showed how special unit members were trained in self-defense, shooting, breaking-and-entering, and survival in extreme conditions.
One recording of a commando raid conducted back in 2005 was especially gruesome. When a regular CEZ employee went to the home of a suspected power-thief to check his electricity supply, the customer locked himself in the basement. Later, the special unit arrived at his door. After his wife opened, they persuaded her to go with them to unlock the basement. She finally agreed and opened the door. Inside her husband was lying on the floor, motionless, having just committed suicide.
The company expressed its regret about the tragedy, which has been investigated by police.
CEZ spokesman said that the special training was necessary since employees who deal with electricity theft are often verbally or physically attacked. Since 2006, the company has uncovered 86 illegal marijuana farms.
“Our men have been confronted with tens of attacks by enraged dogs and also threatened with weapons,” said a company statement.
According to company statistics, Czechs stole more than 21,000 MWh of electricity in 2009, which amounts to consumption levels of a city of several tens of thousands.
The rate of electricity theft has been growing over the last decade, as energy prices increased in the country. When violators became more aggressive, CEZ decided to give their special unit special training from a former commander of the police paramilitary unit.
