Oil faking gang uncovered

Oil faking gang uncovered

JAKARTA (JP): Forty-two members of the Armed Forces (ABRI) and
nine civilians have been arrested for their alleged involvement
in a gang specializing in making counterfeit oil fuel.

The commander of the Military Police, Maj. Gen. Syamsu D., was
quoted by Antara as saying Monday that the 42 officers and nine
civilians were arrested last Thursday.

"Their activities cause the government, state oil company
Pertamina and the public to suffer great losses," he said without
giving details.

Gang members confessed that they produced between 5,000 and
8,000 liters per day.

It is believed the gang had been operating over the last one-
and-a-half years.

Col. Sudirman Panigoro, head of a team in charge of the
arrest, said that the gang members were arrested in an operation
on Jl. Agung Karya II, Sunter, North Jakarta.

The military police also confiscated three tankers containing
the fake oil, he said.

Three of the 42 arrested ABRI members were officially declared
to be suspects in the oil counterfeiting case. (hhr)