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)