Banten Police Uncover Subsidised Fuel Hoarding Scheme, Five Perpetrators Arrested

Banten Provincial Police Chief Irjen Hengki explained that there are four suspects in the Bio Solar misuse case: NN alias AK (45), ED (61), AT (50), and NM (21). They are not accomplices and each operated in Lebak Regency, Cilegon City, and Serang Regency. “The perpetrators purchased subsidised Bio Solar fuel at several petrol stations in Banten using four-wheeled vehicles such as modified trucks or box trucks. Inside the vehicles, tanks or kempu with capacities between 1,000 and 5,000 litres were installed,” said Hengki in Serang City on Tuesday (5/5/2026). In addition, there were perpetrators who used trucks. They filled the trucks with Bio Solar at petrol stations, then transferred the fuel contents to jerry cans. “To avoid suspicion, the perpetrators used various barcodes and different vehicle registration numbers. Purchases were made gradually at several petrol stations in amounts that appeared normal,” said Hengki. The perpetrators collected Bio Solar to resell it at a higher price than the subsidised rate of Rp 6,800 per litre. “It was then collected in large quantities and resold to industrial parties at non-subsidised prices,” he said. Additionally, Banten Police also uncovered the misuse of Pertalite fuel by suspect RD (41). He filled his vehicle with Pertalite and then transferred it to jerry cans. “The perpetrator repeatedly purchased Pertalite fuel at several petrol stations in Serang City. Subsequently, the fuel was transferred from the vehicle tank to jerry cans and gallons using a hose,” he said. The Pertalite was then sold to retailers at a higher price than the normal Rp 10,000 per litre. “The collected fuel was then resold to retailers (pertamini) at around Rp 12,000 per litre,” he stated. The suspects are charged under Article 55 of Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Earth Gas as amended by the latest regulations, with a maximum prison sentence of 6 years and a fine of up to Rp60 billion. In this case, the police seized six four-wheeled vehicles, tanks or kempu inside the boxes, a solar suction machine (alkon) along with hoses, subsidised Bio Solar fuel amounting to approximately 3,791 litres, and 91 jerry cans of 35-litre capacity. Additionally, three barcode cards for purchasing subsidised Bio Solar fuel, 26 different number plates, and two mobile phones containing hundreds of solar fuel barcode codes were seized. There was also cash remaining from purchasing Bio Solar fuel amounting to Rp7,345,000.