Bengkulu Resident Arrested by Police for Mixing Raw Fuel with Dyes to Make Pertalite

JAKARTA - The Special Crimes Sub-Directorate (Tipidter) of the Bengkulu Regional Police's Criminal Investigation Directorate has foiled an attempt to adulterate subsidized Pertalite fuel from refined raw materials and confiscated approximately 3 tons of crude oil.

"The perpetrator, identified as BS, is a resident of Talang Rimbo Lama, Rejang Lebong Regency," said the Head of Public Relations of the Bengkulu Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Andy Pramudya Wardana, in Bengkulu on Tuesday, as reported by Antara.

The perpetrator adulterated the fuel by exploiting the availability of crude oil supplied from outside Bengkulu Province to resell it as retail Pertalite.

The crude oil obtained by BS was then processed using industrial dyes to make it resemble subsidized Pertalite fuel.

"The perpetrator BS adulterated Pertalite fuel with refined oil/crude oil obtained from Musi Rawas, South Sumatra Province, added dyes, and resold it to the public," said Senior Commissioner Andy.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Special Crimes Sub-Directorate, Police Commissioner Mirza Gunawan, stated that the activity had apparently been going on for a long time.

The perpetrators obtained a considerable amount of raw materials when the police team discovered them, amounting to over 2 tons.

"We confiscated two cars, two 1,000-liter tankers filled with crude oil, dozens of jerry cans containing adulterated Pertalite, and cans of industrial dye," said Mirza Gunawan.

For his actions, suspect BS was charged under Article 54 of Law No. 22 of 2001 concerning oil and gas, as amended by Law No. 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation, which carries a maximum sentence of six years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rp60 billion.