Police Bust Illegal Pertalite Business in Bali, Hundreds of Litres Seized

The case came to light following intelligence about a suspicious vehicle carrying subsidised fuel in front of Es Teler Sultan on Jalan Imam Bonjol on Sunday (10 May 2026) around 17:00 WITA.

“During the inspection, officers found one silver Suzuki APV vehicle containing 52 jerrycans. Twelve of the jerrycans still held Pertalite, totalling around 384 litres,” said the Head of Public Relations at Denpasar Police Resort, Iptu I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya, as reported by detikBali on Tuesday (12 May 2026).

In addition to the subsidised fuel, police also seized Rp 11.2 million in cash, suspected to be the proceeds from the fuel sales.

The two men apprehended were SI (40), originally from Madura and residing in the Kebo Iwa area, and SU (34), from Sumenep and temporarily staying in the Abiansemal area of Badung.

Based on preliminary examinations, SI is suspected of purchasing Pertalite from several petrol stations in the Tabanan area using jerrycans. The fuel was then collected in the vehicle before being resold.

“Meanwhile, the other suspect is believed to have marketed the subsidised fuel to various Madura kiosks and shops in the Denpasar area,” he said.

According to the suspects’ confessions, one 32-litre jerrycan was sold for Rp 400,000. Police suspect the practice was carried out to profit from the price differential of the subsidised fuel.

In the bust, police confiscated one Suzuki APV vehicle, 52 jerrycans, 384 litres of subsidised Pertalite, and the cash from the sales.