15 bogus kerosene depots found

15 bogus kerosene depots found

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Local police discovered at least 15 fictitious kerosene depots in the North Sumatra town of Tanjung Balai, which has been blamed for the 30 percent shortage in the 3,060-ton monthly supply for the district.

The lack of supply has been attributed to a sharp rise in kerosene prices in the town.

Based on field observations by local journalists on Thursday, several Marines were apparently involved in the illegal activities.

The alleged involvement of Marines was detected when some of them were seen near the fictitious kerosene depots.

The 15 were part of a total of 58 kerosene depots, which, according to state-owned oil firm Pertamina, supplied kerosene to Tanjung Balai. --JP