Modus 50 Barcode: Police Bust Subsidised Diesel Syndicate in Denpasar

The Denpasar Police Resort’s Criminal Investigation Unit has uncovered an unusual practice of misusing subsidised diesel fuel. The perpetrators used up to 50 different barcodes to repeatedly fill fuel into trucks with modified tanks.

Denpasar Police Chief Kombes Leonardo David Simatupang revealed that this practice was exposed during operational team patrols from March to April 2026 in the Denpasar area.

“The perpetrators conducted repeated refuelling of subsidised fuel using dozens of different barcodes. The fuel was then stored in modified tanks inside trucks for subsequent resale,” Leonardo stated during a press conference at the Denpasar Police Resort headquarters on Wednesday (6/5/2026).

The first uncovering took place on Jalan Cokroaminoto, Ubung Kaja, North Denpasar, on Wednesday (6/4/2026) around 02:00 WITA. Police arrested three suspects with initials TRP (21), GNS (36), and DKW (48).

Subsequently, the second uncovering occurred at the Pura Demak petrol station on Jalan Teuku Umar Barat, West Denpasar, on Sunday (26/4/2026) around 20:00 WITA. In this case, police arrested two other suspects, namely AM (26) and DPB (44).

From the investigation results, this practice involved modified vehicles. One of them was a Toyota Dyna truck whose tank had been altered to hold large quantities of subsidised diesel. Additionally, there was a concrete mixer truck used in the refuelling process.

“Besides the modified vehicles, we also found the involvement of petrol station staff who assisted in the refuelling process using certain barcodes to gain personal profit,” Leonardo explained.

In the uncovering, police seized several pieces of evidence, including two trucks, diesel storage tanks, five Pertamina barcodes, mobile phones, sales receipts, and cash suspected to be proceeds from the illegal activity.

For their actions, the perpetrators are charged under Article 55 of Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Earth Gas as amended by Law No. 6 of 2023 on Job Creation, with a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment.

Additionally, the perpetrators are charged under Article 32 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 30 of Law No. 2 of 1981 on Legal Metrology, with a penalty of six months’ imprisonment.

Police are still investigating the case, including tracing the possibility of other networks involved in the misuse of subsidised fuel in the Denpasar area.