Unlucky LPG Adulterator in Bantul: Rp 200,000 Profit Now at Risk of Rp 60 Billion Fine

A resident of Jetis Subdistrict, Bantul, with initials NF (35), has had a stroke of bad luck. He was caught cheating by transferring the contents of subsidised melon gas cylinders into non-subsidised gas cylinders and selling them. The profit from this small-scale venture was minimal. However, he now faces a fine of up to Rp 60 billion due to his fraudulent actions. The unfortunate fate of the Bantul resident became one of the most accessed stories by detikJogja readers in the past week. The police received information about the fraudulent practice from the public. They immediately raided the location. Several pieces of evidence were found, such as several subsidised melon gas cylinders, 12 kg non-subsidised gas cylinders, buckets, and regulators. “The police also secured the perpetrator who was carrying out the gas adulteration practice,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation at Bantul Police Resort, AKP Achmad Mirza, on Wednesday (8/4/2026). The amount of evidence found was not too large. The police discovered 4 melon gas cylinders and 2 large-sized gas cylinders. From the statements obtained, the perpetrator, who works as a casual labourer, indeed carried out LPG adulteration on a small scale. “From his confession, the perpetrator has done this 10 times. For the method, the perpetrator mixes four 3-kilogram LPG cylinders by inverting them and then filling them into a 12-kilogram pink LPG cylinder or non-subsidised LPG,” he said. The results obtained from this crime were also not too substantial. NF bought 4 melon gas cylinders for a total price of Rp 80,000. The contents of the four melon gas cylinders were then transferred into one empty 12 kg gas cylinder and sold for Rp 180,000. “Then the 12-kilogram adulterated LPG cylinder was sold by the perpetrator for Rp 180,000 per cylinder. In a day, the perpetrator could sell two 12-kilogram LPG cylinders,” he said. Based on the statements, NF earned around Rp 200,000 in a day. NF only adulterated LPG when there was an order. He then delivered the adulterated gas cylinders to his customers. “The 12-kilogram adulterated LPG was sold by the perpetrator delivering it by motorbike. If this perpetrator works daily as a daily casual labourer,” he said. For his actions, NF is charged with the criminal act of gas adulteration under Article 55 of Law No. 2 of 2001 on oil and gas as amended by Article 40 number 9 of Law No. 6 of 2023 on the stipulation of Government Regulation in lieu of Law No. 2 of 2022 on job creation. “The maximum penalty is six years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp 60 billion,” he said.