Polsi Uncovers Subsidized LPG Gas Practices in Six Locations

Elpiji gas cylinder 3 Kg/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) of the Metro Jaya Police has dismantled the practice of subsidizing subsidized LPG gas at six points in the East Jakarta, West Jakarta, Bekasi City, and Tangerang Regency areas. In this disclosure, the police also arrested and named 11 people as suspects.

"The modus operandi carried out by the suspects is to transfer the contents of the gas from the 3 kilogram subsidized tube to the 12 kilogram and 50 kilogram non-subsidized tubes to be sold again at a higher price," said Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Victor Dean Mackbon, in a press conference at the Polda Metro Jaya, South Jakarta, Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Victor explained that in carrying out their actions, the suspects lined up empty gas cylinders measuring 12 kilograms of non-subsidized, then put ice on it so that the temperature of the cylinder would be colder.

In this way, continued Victor, the contents of the 3 kilogram subsidized LPG gas cylinder will automatically be transferred to an empty 12 kilogram cylinder. The transfer process is carried out using an iron pipe that has been modified.

"Ice is used to help speed up the transfer of gas contents from the subsidized tube to the non-subsidized tube," he said.

Victor said that two of the locations were in East Jakarta. Meanwhile, one location was found in West Jakarta and Bekasi City, and the other two locations were in Tangerang Regency.

He said that illegal activities generate considerable profits. In East Jakarta, two locations are estimated to have a turnover of up to Rp50.8 million and Rp1.3 billion. Meanwhile, in West Jakarta it reached around Rp793 million. Then in Bekasi City, it is estimated to have a turnover of around Rp50 million. Meanwhile, two locations in Tangerang Regency each produced around Rp495 million and Rp9 million.

"This profit is approximately Rp2 billion 700 million. We do not disclose in detail the role of the suspect," said Victor.

In this disclosure, officers arrested 11 suspects with different roles. Three people are known as the owners of the location as well as operators or "doctors" for oplosan, one as the owner, four operators, two drivers, and one kernet.

Then, said Victor, a number of evidence was also seized, namely 1,259 gas cylinders consisting of 954 subsidized 3 kilogram cylinders, 272 non-subsidized 12 kilogram cylinders, and three non-subsidized 55 kilogram cylinders.

"We also secured five four-wheel vehicles, one motorcycle, 85 syringes to move gas, seven bags of 12 kilogram tube seals, and one package of rubber seals for gas tubes," he explained.

As a result of their actions, the suspects were charged with Article 45 paragraph (9) of Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Employment Creation as well as Article 55 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code. The 11 suspects are threatened with a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a fine of up to IDR 60 billion