12 Syndicate Members Mixing Subsidised Fuel in Musi Rawas Arrested

Police have arrested 12 members of a syndicate mixing subsidised Fuel Oil (BBM) in the Musi Rawas area, South Sumatra (Sumsel). Director of Special Criminal Investigation at the Sumsel Police, Commissioner Doni Satrya Sembiring, stated that the case was uncovered through a catch-the-act operation (OTT) at an illegal warehouse located on the Lubuk Linggau - Sorolangun highway on Tuesday (21/4). “A total of 12 perpetrators were caught red-handed in the midst of transferring and mixing subsidised BBM activities and were immediately apprehended without resistance,” he said in a written statement on Thursday (23/4). In carrying out their actions, Doni explained that the syndicate operated using the ‘urinating on the road’ modus operandi. The perpetrators then siphoned the BBM load from tankers allocated for the public through official petrol stations (SPBU). Afterwards, he said, the stolen subsidised BBM was stored in an illegal warehouse. The stolen BBM was then mixed with distilled oil before being sold at high prices for personal gain. “The suspects each have roles in this network, from tanker drivers who betrayed their trust, warehouse managers to field workers,” he added. Doni stated that in the enforcement action, investigators also seized several pieces of evidence including one BBM transport tanker unit, dozens of tanks containing illegal BBM, hoses and suction pumps, as well as five operational vehicles. He added that the operation is a tangible manifestation of the state’s presence in eradicating the energy mafia that burdens the people. According to him, such actions are the root cause of BBM shortages at SPBUs that greatly disrupt the economic stability of the lower classes. “The misuse of subsidised BBM, especially amid current price increases, is a serious crime that dances on the suffering of the people,” he stated. Head of Public Relations at Sumsel Police, Commissioner Nandang Mu’min Wijaya, said that all suspects have now been imprisoned. Meanwhile, investigators are still developing a larger network. “We guarantee the security of energy distribution and urge the public not to hesitate to report to the nearest police if they find suspicious activities or warehouses related to BBM distribution,” he said.