Contra Costa County in California is investigating seven recycling firms and junk dealers with regard to metal recycling theft.

The county’s district attorney office said in a news release it is considering possible criminal charges against the firms for the receipt of stolen property and making false statements, among other possible violations. At issue is the theft of copper and other metals thefts in the county and elsewhere in California that have resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars, perhaps millions, for both private businesses and government entities.

The seven recycling firms and junk dealers are: Pleasant Paper Recycling Inc.; VV Recycling; Pittsburg Recycling Center; Christenson Recycling Center Inc.; R.E.N.; Sims Group USA Corp.; and Action Metal Recycling Inc.

The attorney’s office said it could not completely comment on the results of its investigation because of the volume of material involved, but it said the metals confiscated were consistent with stolen goods.