Revealed: This is the Modus Operandi of 330 Suspects in the Misuse of Subsidised Fuel and LPG

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has designated 330 suspects in cases of misuse of subsidised fuel (BBM) and LPG. This case has resulted in state losses amounting to Rp 243.6 billion during the operation period from 7 to 20 April 2026 across Indonesia.

This was revealed at a press conference by the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) on the disclosure of criminal acts in the misuse of subsidised BBM and LPG, held at the Bareskrim Polri office in Jakarta on Tuesday (21/4/2026).

The Director of Specific Crimes (Dirtipiter) of Bareskrim Polri, Mohammad Irhamni, disclosed the modus operandi employed by several perpetrators in the diversion of subsidised BBM and LPG.

“It’s still the same as before: the purchase of subsidised diesel is done repeatedly at several petrol stations,” said Irhamni.

First, subsidised diesel is collected and stockpiled at bases and then distributed to industries in the surrounding areas.

“As is common in Jakarta, it’s called ‘helikopter’; in Sumatra or Bangka Belitung regions, it’s called ‘ngoret’,” he explained.

Second, individuals purchase subsidised BBM using trucks modified with large storage tanks, then stockpile and sell it at non-subsidised prices.

Irhamni explained that they buy subsidised BBM using fake licence plates to avoid oversight by Pertamina. They then use different barcode purchase methods for subsidised BBM.

Third, collaboration with rogue petrol station staff to obtain excess quotas. According to Irhamni, investigations are currently delving into the involvement of officials or civil servants in this case.

“As mentioned by the Deputy Head of Bareskrim earlier, if we find officials or related parties or civil servants involved, the leadership’s directive to us investigators is to enforce the law with corruption offences, in the hope of creating a deterrent effect and tracing the perpetrators to enjoy it,” he said.

Regarding the modus operandi of subsidised LPG misuse, it involves transferring the contents of subsidised LPG cylinders to non-subsidised ones. Thus, transferring the contents of 3 kg LPG cylinders into 12-50 kg cylinders.

“This is rampant in the areas surrounding Jakarta, making their distribution very easy to industrial areas or restaurant and hotel areas around Jakarta,” he explained.

Irhamni also emphasised that the disclosures by Bareskrim and provincial police units will continue. The targets are not only field perpetrators but also tracing organised illegal distribution networks.

“We want to ensure that the subsidies provided by the state are truly enjoyed by those who are entitled. The perpetrators will be charged under the Oil and Gas Law as well as the Anti-Money Laundering Law,” he stated.

Furthermore, according to him, this criminal activity also stems from the price disparity of subsidised BBM and LPG in the field. He gave an example that the price of non-subsidised BBM in the field is approximately Rp 31,000 per litre, while the subsidised price is Rp 6,800.

“This disparity is what prompts perpetrators to commit the lucrative criminal acts mentioned earlier,” he said.