Police bust syndicate of adulterated fuel
Police bust syndicate of adulterated fuel
JAKARTA (JP): City police arrested yesterday two men and seized 50,000 liters of adulterated diesel fuel they had produced in the Pamulang district, Tangerang, about 25 kilometers south of here.
Capt. Marsidi HP, head of operational affairs for the on-the- alert division, locally known as Samapta, said yesterday the suspects had mixed one part original diesel fuel and one part kerosene. "They put in a small amount of residue to color the mixture," he said.
"They produced at least 35,000 liters of adulterated diesel oil everyday and they have been running the business for two years," Marsidi said.
Most of the fuel was sold to local factories and export- oriented industries in Tangerang and in some areas of the city. Reports also said that a number of gas stations in Jakarta had become regular buyers.
The price of the bogus diesel fuel, set by the suspects, remains unknown.
According to Marsidi, two other people are wanted for similar offenses.
The two suspects were identified as "big boss" Rasyid and his employee, Sudarno.
They were arrested at approximately 10 a.m. yesterday during a raid at Rasyid's small plant near Jl. Raya Parung.
During police questioning, Sudarno said that the original fuel was purchased from a Pertamina gas station and the kerosene was bought from a depot in Manggarai.
For selling their bogus diesel fuel, police strongly believe that the group had contact persons at various factories, industries and gas stations.
Police also confiscated two sets of diesel machines from the plant site, allegedly used to mix the oil and the kerosene.
The adulterated fuel can damage the costly machines at the factories, as well as those of motor vehicles.
The two suspects will be charged with fraud if they are found guilty. They could face a maximum sentence of four years imprisonment.
Although police have raided dozens of similar businesses in and around the city over the past two years, a large number of similar plants are still operating. Reports have stated that the illicit businesses were backed by members of the Armed Forces.
"We have no plan to stop investigations," city police spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said.
"What we need is public participation in informing us about such illegal plants," he said.
Iman said that a preliminary investigation reveals that the main motive for the illegal business was to make money. (bsr)