While most Australians are law abiding and pay for the power they use, the theft of electricity from the power grid is a problem. Chief among these thieves are those involved in the illegal drug trade.

"Hydroponics in ceilings requires high heat lamps.... which chew up power," said Geoff Fietz, manager of telecommunications enterprises at Country Energy, referring to the illegal marijuana cultivation industry scattered amongst the population.

He tells an anecdote about a house which burnt down in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia. When the police turned up they saw the hydroponics equipment smoldering in the ceiling. Not only had they discovered an illegal drug plantation; power was being siphoned as well. "It's real. It happens," said Fietz.

Police around the world know that . Uncovering this increased usage is difficult when illegal connections are used to siphon off the electricity is difficult.

"This strengthens the argument for BPL to address this issue," said Fietz