Subsidy Fuel Mafia for Fishermen Uncovered
Riau Provincial Police have successfully uncovered the misuse of subsidised fuel oil (BBM) of the Bio Solar type at two separate locations, namely Pelalawan Regency and Indragiri Hilir Regency, on Sunday (5/4/2026).
In this revelation, officers secured thousands of litres of illegal BBM along with several suspects believed to be involved in the illegal distribution and trading practices.
Director of Special Criminal Investigation at Riau Provincial Police, Commissioner Ade Kuncoro, emphasised that this uncovering is part of the police’s commitment to safeguarding the distribution of subsidised energy so that it reaches the right targets.
“This is a demonstration of our seriousness in cracking down firmly on the misuse of subsidised BBM. Subsidised BBM is the right of the community, especially groups that need it, so it must not be diverted for illegal business interests,” said Ade.
The first uncovering was carried out by Unit 4 of Subdirectorate IV of the Economic Crime Unit at the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of Riau Provincial Police at a workshop on Jalan Lingkar, Kerinci Timur Ward, Pangkalan Kerinci Subdistrict, Pelalawan Regency.
From the location, officers found around 5,000 litres of Bio Solar stored in 21 jerrycans with a capacity of 33 litres each, as well as several 1,000-litre baby tanks.
In this case, police designated one suspect with initials ANM who acted as the buyer, collector, and seller of the illegal BBM.
Examination results showed that the suspect purchased BBM from brokers who filled up at petrol stations using trucks, then collected it to resell at a higher price.
Deputy Head of Subdirectorate IV of the Economic Crime Unit at the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of Riau Provincial Police, AKBP Teddy Ardian, explained that this practice had been running for about two months with a fairly organised distribution pattern.
“BBM is bought from brokers at around Rp280,000 per 33-litre jerrycan, then resold between Rp290,000 and Rp300,000. The profit is indeed small per jerrycan, but if accumulated in large quantities, the value is significant,” he clarified.
He also revealed that the suspect used various methods, including vehicles with multiple different licence plates to trick the barcode system during refuelling at petrol stations.
In addition, the suspect targeted markets in remote areas, including the needs of wood transport trucks that cannot refuel at petrol stations.
The second uncovering was carried out in Rotan Semelur Village, Pelangiran Subdistrict, Indragiri Hilir Regency. Officers found the wooden boat KM Surya transporting Bio Solar without official documents.
From further investigation, it was learned that the BBM came from a fishermen’s petrol station in the Concong area, which was intended for fishermen’s needs but diverted for illegal trading via waterways.
Officers found 21 drums containing Bio Solar totalling around 5,000 litres on the boat, plus additional BBM on another pontoon, bringing the total to more than 10,000 litres.
Police then secured three suspects: the boat owner, the captain, and a crew member.
Commissioner Ade added that both cases show the persistence of subsidised BBM misuse practices with various methods, both via land and water routes, including deviations from the fishing sector distribution.
“We found misuse of BBM distribution from fishermen’s petrol stations. We deeply regret this, because the BBM is intended to support fishermen’s economic activities, not for illegal resale,” he stressed.
Riau Provincial Police will continue to deepen the investigation to uncover the possibility of a wider network in the illegal distribution chain.
For their actions, the suspects are charged under Article 55 of Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Earth Gas as amended by Law No. 6 of 2023 on Job Creation, with a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp60 billion.
Riau Provincial Police also urge the public not to get involved in subsidised BBM misuse practices and to actively report any violations found.
“This law enforcement is not just about punishing perpetrators, but also about maintaining fair energy distribution for the wider community, including fishermen who are priority subsidy recipients,” Ade concluded.