Banten Police Uncover Illicit LPG Mixing Base in Lebak, Three Arrested

The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) of Banten Provincial Police has uncovered a criminal case involving the misuse of subsidised 3kg LPG in Lebak Regency. The base was mixing or injecting gas from 3kg cylinders into 12kg cylinders.

“We have successfully secured three suspects with initials AR (36), KR (25), and AZ (24), who misused subsidised 3kg LPG by transferring the gas content to 12kg LPG cylinders,” stated the Deputy Director of Ditreskrimsus of Banten Provincial Police, AKBP Bronto Budiyono, on Wednesday (15/4/2026).

Bronto explained that the case was uncovered by Subdit IV Tipidter on Tuesday (14/4) in Kampung Pasir Waru, Desa Ciburuy, Kecamatan Curugbitung, Lebak Regency.

The illegal practice had been ongoing for approximately six months in a warehouse owned by suspect AR, which served as an LPG base. In a single day, the perpetrators could produce around 80 12kg LPG cylinders from the illegal transfers.

“The modus operandi of the perpetrators involved transferring the contents from four 3kg LPG cylinders into one 12kg LPG cylinder, then selling it at non-subsidised prices. They purchased the 3kg LPG for Rp16,000 per cylinder and sold the 12kg LPG for Rp120,000 per cylinder,” he clarified.

He noted that the 3kg LPG came from the quota allocated to the base owned by the suspect himself. This misuse directly impacted the distribution of subsidised LPG to eligible communities.

“Due to the actions of the suspects, the state suffered losses amounting to Rp626,342,400,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Subnit IV Tipidter of Krimsus Polda Banten, Kompol Dhoni Erwanto, added that the suspects had distinct roles.

“Suspect AR acted as the owner of the base and the one performing the gas injection, while KR and AZ served as the driver and assistant responsible for distributing the mixed LPG,” Dhoni revealed.

Police seized several pieces of evidence, including two vehicles, regulator injection tools, spear-type injection tools, scales, and hundreds of 3kg and 12kg LPG cylinders.

“For their actions, the suspects are charged under Article 55 of Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Natural Gas as amended, with a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp60 billion,” he added.