Sidoarjo Police Arrest Two Suspects for Mixing Non-Subsidised LPG

Sidoarjo, East Java - The Sidoarjo City Police (Polresta Sidoarjo) have arrested two suspects with the initials MNH and MR, who were involved in mixing non-subsidised LPG by injecting 3kg subsidised LPG gas into 12kg non-subsidised cylinders.

Sidoarjo Police Chief, Kombes Pol Christian Tobing, stated that the case was uncovered by Unit II Tipidter of the Satreskrim Polresta Sidoarjo after arresting the two suspects in Jati Village, Sidoarjo Subdistrict.

“The illegal practice was carried out using a house with a ‘for sale’ sign on the front to avoid suspicion from nearby residents,” Tobing said during the case disclosure at Polresta Sidoarjo headquarters on Monday.

He explained that the perpetrators injected the contents of 3kg subsidised LPG cylinders into 12kg non-subsidised ones to resell them at higher prices ranging from Rp130,000 to Rp160,000 per cylinder.

From preliminary calculations, the perpetrators gained around Rp80,000 profit per 12kg LPG cylinder sold, with total monthly profits estimated at Rp19 million to Rp20 million.

Police also revealed that the activity had been ongoing since 2022 and was a repetition of similar activities previously carried out by the perpetrators at different locations.

Additionally, police are still pursuing another individual with the initials RD, who is now on the wanted list for his role in injecting the gas.

In the raid, officers seized hundreds of 3kg subsidised LPG cylinders and 12kg non-subsidised ones, injection equipment, scales, operational vehicles, and other tools used in the illegal activity.

Tobing emphasised that the suspects are being charged under the updated Oil and Gas Law, facing a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rp60 billion.

“We will continue to crack down firmly on the misuse of subsidised LPG as it harms the public and the state,” he said.