Bogor Police uncover energy-subsidy mafia costing the state Rp12.5 billion

Bogor Regency, West Java (ANTARA) – The Bogor Police have uncovered seven cases of misuse of subsidised fuel and subsidised LPG, as well as illegal gold mining, during April–May 2026, with potential losses to the state amounting to Rp12.5 billion. The Bogor Police Chief, AKBP Wikha Ardilestanto, in Cibinong, Bogor Regency, on Friday, said the seven cases consisted of five oil and gas offences and two illegal gold mining cases, with a total of 15 suspects. “The uncovering of these cases aligns with the President’s directives to safeguard energy subsidies and take firm action against all forms of abuse,” Wikha said. He explained that the five oil and gas cases comprised three cases of subsidised fuel abuse and two cases of subsidised LPG misuse in the 3-kilogram size. The cases of subsidised fuel abuse were uncovered in Pamijahan, Ciampea, and Gunung Putri subdistricts, with nine suspects. The perpetrators exploited the price difference between subsidised and non-subsidised fuel to obtain profits. Police seized four four-wheeled vehicles: one Toyota Avanza, one Toyota Fortuner, and two Suzuki Carry, plus one fuel tanker used to gather subsidised diesel for illegal resale. Additionally, police secured 49 barcodes for subsidised fuel top-ups and dozens of jerrycans filled with diesel and Pertalite. “The modus operandi involved repeatedly purchasing fuel using dozens of barcodes and changing vehicle registration numbers,” Wikha said. In the case, three SPBU staff suspected of aiding the illicit practice were also secured. According to Wikha, the network’s coordinator paid SPBU supervisors Rp250,000 per month and Rp10,000 to each operator every time a fill occurred. He revealed that one network of subsidised fuel abuse had been operating for three years. Separately, two cases of subsidised LPG misuse were uncovered in the Rumpin and Tanjungsari subdistricts, with two suspects who acted as owner and operator of the illegal enterprise. Police seized 589 subsidised LPG cylinders of 3 kg, 195 cylinders of 12 kg, two box vans, one pickup truck, 20 modification syringes, and a digital weighing scale. “Four 3-kilogram cylinders were transferred into one 12-kilogram cylinder, then sold at the non-subsidised price,” Wikha said. According to him, that practice yielded around Rp161,000 in profit for each 12-kilogram LPG cylinder sold. In addition to the oil and gas cases, Bogor Police also uncovered two illegal gold mining cases in the Cigudeg and Tanjungsari subdistricts, with four suspects. Evidence included gelundung tools, rocks believed to contain gold, and refining chemicals such as cyanide, caustic soda, lime, and carbon. Wikha said the total profit from illegal gold mining is estimated at Rp796.8 million. “For the oil and gas cases, including subsidised fuel and subsidised LPG, total profits are estimated at Rp6.9 billion, while potential losses to the state are around Rp12.5 billion,” he added. He stressed that energy subsidies are the right of the people in need and that the Bogor Police, together with the TNI, local government, Pertamina, and other stakeholders, will continue safeguarding distribution to ensure it reaches the intended recipients. Bogor Regent Rudy Susmanto praised the case and said the regional government, with the TNI, Police, Pertamina, and relevant agencies, will continue safeguarding the government’s energy subsidy policy. “We will not stay silent about public complaints regarding illegal mining or subsidy abuses,” he said. He urged the public to report suspected subsidy abuses and illegal mining activities through the Police’s complaint service 110. Meanwhile, Pertamina Patra Niaga Bogor-Depok regional Sales Branch Manager Mahdi said subsidised LPG is only for the poor and used for cooking. Pertamina has provided guidance to 26 agents and severed ties with outlets found to support illegal subsidised LPG distribution. The oil and gas suspects face charges under Article 55 of Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Gas as amended by the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, with a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment. The illegal gold mining suspects face charges under Article 158 and/or Article 161 of Law No. 3 of 2020 on Mineral and Coal Mining, with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rp10 billion.