JAKARTA - The Riau Regional Police has dismantled the practice of misuse of subsidized fuel oil (BBM) of the Bio Solar type in Pelalawan Regency and Indragiri Hilir.
From the two locations, the police secured more than 10,000 liters of fuel which was suspected to be traded illegally.
Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the Riau Police, Kombes Ade Kuncoro, said that this disclosure was part of efforts to maintain the distribution of subsidized energy to be targeted in the midst of high demand for subsidized solar in the region.
"Subsidized BBM is the right of people who need it, so it should not be misused for illegal business interests," Ade said in a statement, Sunday, April 5.
The first case was revealed at a workshop on Jalan Lingkar, Kerinci Timur Village, Pangkalan Kerinci District, Pelalawan Regency.
The police found about 5,000 liters of Bio Solar stored in 21 jerrycans with a capacity of 33 liters as well as a number of tanks with a capacity of 1,000 liters.
In this case, the police have named one suspect with the initials ANM who is suspected of buying subsidized diesel from smugglers at gas stations using a truck, then collecting it before selling it again at a higher price.
Kasubdit IV Tipidter Ditreskrimsus Polda Riau AKBP Teddy Ardian explained that this practice has been running for about two months with a fairly organized distribution pattern.
Fuel is purchased from distributors at a price of around Rp. 280,000 per 33-liter jerigen and is resold between Rp. 290,000 to Rp. 300,000 per jerigen.
According to Teddy, the perpetrator used various methods to avoid surveillance, including using vehicles with several different number plates to trick the barcode system when filling subsidized fuel at gas stations.
In addition, the main market for illegal fuel is the interior which is difficult to access gas stations, including the needs of wood-carrying trucks.
Meanwhile, the second case was revealed in Rotan Semelur Village, Pelangiran District, Indragiri Hilir Regency.
Police found the wooden boat KM Surya carrying Bio Solar without official documents.
Officers found 21 drums containing subsidized gasoline with a total of about 5,000 liters in the ship, as well as additional fuel on another pontoon so that the total is estimated to reach more than 10,000 liters.
In this case, the police have named three suspects, namely the ship owner, the captain, and the ship's crew.
Ade said the fuel came from a fishing SPBU in the Concong area which was supposed to be for the operational needs of fishermen, but was diverted to be sold through the water route.
"We are still exploring the possibility of a wider network in the distribution of this illegal fuel," he said.
The suspects are charged under Article 55 of Law Number 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Gas as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Employment, with a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp. 60 billion.
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