Police Seize 17 Jerikins of Diesel in Empty House in Belu, Suspected Hoarding Result
Police seized 17 jerikins, each with a capacity of 35 litres and containing subsidised diesel, in an empty house in Fatubenao Ward, Atambua City District, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Monday afternoon (27/4/2026). The diesel is suspected to have been hoarded in the house.
In addition, the Belu Resort Police (Polres Belu) arrested a man with the initials YL (42) from Aitoun Village, Raihat District. YL is suspected of being involved in the hoarding of the fuel.
“Yes, members of Polres Belu secured a man along with several pieces of evidence in a suspected criminal act of misusing subsidised fuel. There are 17 jerikins, each averaging around 30 litres of diesel,” said the Head of Public Relations (Kabid Humas) of NTT Regional Police, Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra, to detikBali.
Henry explained that the case’s discovery began when the Smuggling Task Force (Satgas) of Polres Belu was conducting surveillance in the area around 12:10 WITA. Officers at that time spotted suspicious activity involving the filling of fuel in an empty residential building.
From the investigation at the location, officers found the fuel stored in 17 jerikins with an average content of around 30 litres each. In addition, officers also seized one mahogany wood truck that was not equipped with a licence plate or vehicle documents.
The truck had also been modified with two additional tanks on the left and right sides, suspected to have been deliberately designed to store and transport large quantities of fuel.
At the scene, officers also found supporting equipment in the form of one green hose about one metre long and a blue funnel used to transfer the fuel.
“So, regarding the perpetrator, he has been secured along with several pieces of evidence. Currently, the suspect is undergoing further examination at Polres Belu,” Henry stated.
According to Henry, such actions impact the state and the public who are entitled to receive subsidised fuel in accordance with government regulations. Furthermore, Polres Belu is still investigating the case to uncover the hoarding and illegal distribution network.
“We emphasise that the misuse of subsidised fuel is a criminal act that harms the state and the public. Polda NTT along with its ranks will continue to enhance surveillance and enforcement against any form of violation in the distribution of subsidised fuel,” Henry clarified.