17 Cans of Seized Diesel in Belu Intended for Smuggling to Timor Leste
Police seized 17 jerry cans of diesel from an empty house in Fatubenao Ward, Atambua City District, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The dozens of jerry cans of subsidised fuel oil (BBM) were intended to be smuggled to Timor Leste.
“It was planned to be taken to Timor Leste,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation at Belu Police Resort, AKP Rachmat Hidayat, to detikBali on Tuesday (28/4/2026).
Rachmat revealed that the owner of the illegal fuel was Yosep Liunome (42) alias Ose. The fuel was planned to be smuggled illegally through Haekesak Hamlet, Tohe Village, Raihat District, Belu Regency.
According to Rachmat, Ose had repeatedly hoarded subsidised BBM for smuggling to Timor Leste. Currently, Ose is undergoing intensive examination at Belu Police Resort.
“We are still examining him and coordinating with experts. However, all evidence related to the case has been seized for investigation purposes,” explained the former Head of Kota Lama Police Sector, Kupang City Police Resort.
When asked about the existence of a large network backing the hoarding and smuggling of the BBM, Rachmat stated there was none. However, he emphasised that the police are continuing to investigate the case to uncover any involvement of other parties.
“Indeed, he operates alone and has been doing the hoarding for a long time,” Rachmat concluded.
Previously, police seized 17 jerry cans of 35-litre capacity containing subsidised diesel in an empty house in Fatubenao Ward, Atambua City District, Belu, on Monday (27/4) afternoon. Belu Police Resort also arrested a man with initials YL (42) suspected of being involved in the BBM hoarding.
The Head of Public Relations for NTT Regional Police, Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra, explained that the case’s uncovering began when the Smuggling Task Force of Belu Police Resort was conducting surveillance in the area. Officers discovered suspicious activities involving the filling of BBM in an empty building.
From the investigation at the location, officers found the BBM stored in 17 jerry cans with an average content of around 30 litres each. Officers also seized one red wooden truck that was not equipped with a licence plate or vehicle documents. The truck was allegedly designed specifically to store and transport large quantities of BBM.
“The perpetrator has been secured along with several pieces of evidence. Currently, the suspect is undergoing further examination at Belu Police Resort,” Henry stated.