Jambi Police Probing Smuggling of Tens of Tonnes of Illegal Refined Oil From South Sumatra

Polres Tebo, part of Polda Jambi, is continuing to investigate the case of the seizure of tens of tonnes of illegal refined oil originating from Bayat, Bayung Lencir District, Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra. The illegal oil was intercepted while travelling through Tebo Tengah subdistrict, in Tebo Regency, on Monday (18 May).

Kombes Erlan Munaji, the Public Relations Chief of Polda Jambi, and AKB Triyanto, the Tebo Police Chief, separately confirmed the arrest to Media Indonesia on Tuesday (19 May).

The refined oil from illegal distillation, which has proliferated in the Bayat area, was found by the Tipidter Unit and the Opsnal Team of the Satreskrim Polres Tebo.

The evidence was transported using two yellow Colt Diesel trucks with plate numbers BA 8557 OU and BH 9014 LU, which were travelling around KM 04 Tebo Tengah around dawn on Monday, 03.00 WIB.

Chronology of the arrest: During questioning, the drivers could not present valid documents for the transport of around 20 tonnes of refined oil that was intended to be taken to Bungo Regency.

Based on field checks, police detailed the cargo of the two trucks: the case was uncovered thanks to information from the public to the police. In addition to the seizure of thousands of litres of refined oil and the transporting trucks, four men with initials FY, AD, IW and Y were arrested.

They are charged under Article 54 Subsidiary Article 53 of Law Number 22 of 2001 on Oil and Gas. At present, the four perpetrators along with all the evidence have been secured at the Tebo Police Headquarters for further legal proceedings and investigation.