Two men have been arrested for stealing electricity in Portland after the discovery of electrical wires under the sea in Port Antonio which was supplying several squatter houses.
The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) says the wires were connected to its systems then run on the floor of the sea to about 20 houses on the shoreline.
The light and power company became suspicious after fishermen complained that they had been receiving electrical shocks while in the water.
The JPS says its work crews searched the area and found an illegal wire along the shore line.
Further investigations led them to find two other illegal wires several feet into the sea.
According to the power provider, it appears that the lines may have been in the water for some time, as removal was hampered by the seaweed and general growth.
The JPS has indicated that Portland is being heavily featured in electricity theft.
It says since the start of the year, 40 people in Portland have pleaded guilty to charges of illegally extracting electricity.
They have been sentenced to fines ranging from $10,000-$70,000 or prison terms ranging from 30 days to three months.
The JPS says it is eager to work with persons to arrive at solutions to meet their energy needs and is urging people against stealing electricity.
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