Illegal 'Gas Injection' Practice Exposed in Karanganyar, Three Individuals Arrested
Satreskrim Polres Karanganyar has uncovered an alleged criminal act involving the illegal diversion of subsidised 3-kilogramme LPG gas into non-subsidised cylinders. Three individuals were arrested by officers.
The disclosure of this case stemmed from a public report suspecting activities in a building used as a warehouse in Dukuh Pandakan, Desa Blorong, Kecamatan Jumantono,” said Karanganyar Police Chief AKBP Arman Sahti on Monday (6/4/2026).
The perpetrators mixed the contents of 3kg subsidised LPG gas into 12-50kg non-subsidised cylinders. This illegal practice erodes the rights of the underprivileged.
Around 14:30 WIB earlier, officers immediately investigated the public tip and discovered the gas transfer practice, known as ‘gas injection’, underway at the site, which was a rice milling warehouse.
The three suspected perpetrators arrested had different roles in the illegal practice. Two were operators of the gas injection, while the other was a loader and unloader of gas cylinders.
From the scene, police also secured hundreds of pieces of evidence strengthening the suspicion of the illegal practice, including 268 subsidised 3kg gas cylinders, 181 12kg gas cylinders, and 7 50kg gas cylinders. Additionally, dozens of modification tools in the form of regulator hoses for the gas transfer process, a large number of cylinder seals, and scales used in the activity were found.
“This practice not only violates the law but also harms the wider community. Subsidised gas, which should be intended for underprivileged citizens, is instead misused for commercial interests,” he said.
The suspected perpetrators are charged under Article 40 of Indonesia’s Law No. 6 of 2023 on the Enactment of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 2 of 2022 on Job Creation into Law, amending Article 55 of Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Earth Gas. The regulation states:
Every person who misuses the transportation and/or trade of subsidised fuel oil, fuel gas, and/or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or the provision and distribution of which is assigned by the Government
The perpetrators face a maximum prison sentence of six years and/or a fine of up to Rp60 billion.
Currently, all evidence has been secured at Karanganyar Police Headquarters for further investigation purposes. Karanganyar Police also urge the public to actively report if they find similar practices in their surroundings, to ensure that subsidised gas distribution is on target and not misused by irresponsible parties.
“Daily profits reach Rp24 million, which could amount to Rp700 million per month,” he said.