XN000022-1977-02-21 — Page 2

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1977

BY THE END OF JANUARY THIS YEAR, THEY HAD WON 18 CONVICTIONS (WITH FINES RANGING FROM $600 TO $1,500) AND WERE WAITING FOR THE OTHER 20 CASES TO GO BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES.

THEIR INVESTIGATIONS HAVE TAKEN THEM FROM SIMPLE DWELLINGS TO LUXURIOUS APARTMENTS AND ON COUNTLESS ROOFTOPS WHERE IN SOME CASES A SYSTEM OF HOSES HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED SIPHONING OFF ILLICIT WATER SUPPLIES FROM ROOFTOP TANKS.

DURING ITS INVESTIGATIONS, THE UNIT HAS COME ACROSS SOME ILLICIT TECHNIQUES THAT WOULD DO JUSTICE TO ANY PROFESSIONAL.

IN ONE PARTICULAR CASE, AN INNOCENT-LOOKING CONNECTION TO A GOVERNMENT MAIN LED TO AN UNDERGROUND NETWORK OF PIPES SOME 30 METRES LONG, COVERED WITH CONCRETE, THAT HAD OBVIOUSLY BEEN LAID BY PEOPLE WHO KNEW WHAT PROFESSIONAL PLUMBING WAS ALL ABOUT.

IN ANOTHER, A BUILDER ACTUALLY CONNECTED A PIPE TO A FIRE HYDRANT AND INSTALLED AN IMITATION WATER METER THAT LOOKED SO GENUINE THAT FOR SOME TIME IT PASSED UNNOTICED IN POLICE, FIRE AND WATERWORKS INSPECTIONS.

+W%

+ BUT WE'RE LEARNING THE TRICKS, + SAID MR. MOHAMMED DIN. NOW MORE OR LESS KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR SO IT IS MORE DIFFICULT FOR ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS TO GO UNNOTICED.+

AT PRESENT THE PROSECUTING UNIT IS RELYING ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, TIPS FROM POLICE AND EVIDENCE GATHERED ON THEIR OWN PATROLS.

HOWEVER,

MOVES ARE UNDERWAY TO EXPAND THE UNIT AND GIVE IT NEW TEETH IN ITS DRIVE AGAINST WATER THIEVES.

SAID MR. TUCKER:+THESE MALPRACTICES ARE TANTAMOUNT TO STEALING FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND VIGOROUS ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO PUT AN END TO THEM.

+A GOOD START HAS BEEN MADE BUT WE HAVE EVERY INTENTION TO FURTHER STEP UP OUR INVESTIGATIONS AND BRING OFFENDERS TO BOOK.+