Police Uncover Alleged Illegal Sale of Subsidised Fuel in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, 525 Litres of Diesel Seized
The Criminal Investigation Unit of the West Manggarai Police, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), uncovered an alleged illegal sale of subsidised diesel fuel in the Boleng sub-district, West Manggarai Regency, on Friday (15/5).
During the operation, police seized approximately 525 litres of subsidised diesel fuel, which was being transported in a pick-up truck and allegedly intended for illegal resale in Kampung Terang.
The operation was carried out by the West Manggarai Police Criminal Investigation Unit’s Mobile Team around 09:00 local time on Jalan Desa Golo Lujang, Boleng sub-district. Officers had previously received reports from the public regarding the transportation of subsidised fuel from outside the area to Kampung Terang.
Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the West Manggarai Police, AKP Lufthi Darmawan Aditya, stated that officers immediately launched an investigation after receiving information about a vehicle suspected of carrying subsidised diesel fuel.
“We received information about a vehicle transporting subsidised diesel fuel from Ruteng towards Kampung Terang. The team then set up a blockade on the route taken by the vehicle,” he said in an official statement.
When the vehicle was stopped and inspected, police found 15 jerrycans, each containing 35 litres of subsidised diesel fuel, covered with a red tarp.
The two individuals in the vehicle, identified as YED (29) and a teenager with the initials AJ (17), were unable to produce official documents for the transportation or a permit for trading fuel.
Police suspect that the subsidised diesel fuel was obtained from the Langke Rembong sub-district, Manggarai Regency, before being transported to West Manggarai for resale at a higher price.
According to initial investigations, the suspects admitted to buying the diesel fuel for Rp300,000 per jerrycan and planning to sell it for Rp330,000 per jerrycan. They claimed to have been carrying out this practice repeatedly since April 2026. “Both suspects admitted to having transported and sold the subsidised diesel fuel eight times,” said AKP Lufthi.
Police are currently investigating the involvement of other parties, including the supplier of the subsidised fuel. All evidence, including the pick-up truck, 15 jerrycans of subsidised diesel fuel, and the red tarp, has been secured at the West Manggarai Police headquarters.
The suspects are being charged under Article 55 of Law No. 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Natural Gas, as amended by Law No. 6 of 2023 concerning Job Creation, with a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a fine of up to Rp60 billion. (E-2)
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