Police in Indonesia seize 3.3 tons of subsidized biodiesel from illegal warehouse
The Indonesian National Police announced Oct. 26 that the Rejang Lebong Subregional Police in the province of Bengkulu on the island of Sumatra have uncovered an alleged hoarding of subsidized biodiesel fuel at a warehouse in Tanjung Sanai I Village, Padang Ulak Tanding District.
During the investigation, police confiscated approximately 3.3 tons of biodiesel and arrested four individuals suspected of involvement.
The case was uncovered Oct. 24 after police received a public report regarding the alleged hoarding and misuse of subsidized fuel.
The Rejang Lebong Subregional Police’s public relations chief, Police Senior Inspector M. Hasan Basri, stated that officers immediately followed up on the information by visiting the suspected fuel-storage location.
"In addition to securing evidence in the form of 3.3 tons of biodiesel fuel, officers also apprehended four suspected hoarders,” he said. “The evidence and the perpetrators are currently being held at the police headquarters for questioning.”
Upon arrival at the location, officers found four men transferring biodiesel from the drums and tanks of a diesel truck to a plastic storage tank known as a “tedmond.”
The storage tank consists of four tanks, each with a capacity of 1 ton.
The four men arrested are residents of Tanjung Sanai I Village and range in age from 17 years old to 30 years old.
They remain suspects and are undergoing further questioning by investigators.
In this operation, police also confiscated two trucks: a black and yellow Colt Diesel Fuso truck and a yellow Colt Diesel 100 PS truck.
In addition, officers seized three 1-ton tedmond containers filled with biodiesel and one empty tedmond container.
Other evidence included 10 35-liter jerrycans filled with biodiesel, two suction machines complete with hoses, one blue drum, one red and white drum, and one oil funnel.
All of this evidence is now being secured for investigation purposes.
Police will also investigate the origin of the stored fuel, including alleged purchases from several gas stations in the Rejang Lebong area.
“After questioning the perpetrators, we will conduct a case review and coordinate with experts from the downstream oil-and-gas regulatory agency (BPH Migas) in Jakarta,” the senior inspector said.
