North Sumatra Police Name 17 Suspects In Illegal Fuel And Gas Cases

North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Setya Imam Effend (left) when receiving an Executive visit from GM Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut, Freddy Anwar (right) at the North Sumatra Police Headquarters. (ANTARA/HO- Humas North Sumatra Police).

The North Sumatra Regional Police have named 17 suspects in the case of fuel oil (BBM) and illegal gas carried out in various cities in the area, including the cities of Medan, Tanjungbalai, Labuhanbatu, Sibolga, Langkat, and Serdang Bedagai.

The practice of misuse of diesel fuel and subsidized gas is by buying or reducing the cargo of tank trucks before being delivered to buyers.

"After that, it was stored in a warehouse and then sold to the industry at a higher price," said Head of Public Relations of the North Sumatra Police, Kombes Hadi Wahyudi, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, September 18.

Hadi said that the suspect's mode of buying diesel was stored in a warehouse and then sold it to industrial consumers.

In the case of mixing LPG gas, the suspects used the mode of moving the contents of the subsidized 3 kg gas cylinder to non-subsidized sizes to be sold to industries or parties in need.

"The action against the perpetrators of misuse of subsidized LPG fuel and gas as a form of commitment from the North Sumatra Police to save the needs intended for the underprivileged," he said.

Enforcement also creates a sense of security and comfort for business actors in getting the right subsidized diesel.

"Against the perpetrators who were detained, investigators implemented Law No. 22 of 2001 concerning oil and natural gas," said Hadi.

Meanwhile, Pertamina appreciates the firm action taken by the North Sumatra Police against perpetrators of smuggling, hoarding, transporting subsidized diesel fuel (BBM) illegally and mixing subsidized LPG gas in various areas of North Sumatra.

The Executive of GM Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut, Freddy Anwar admitted that the action taken by the North Sumatra Police was extraordinary.

Currently, he explained, the impact of strict action has created a more orderly order in the management of subsidized fuel and the community is calmer in doing business.

"We really appreciate the decisive steps taken by the North Sumatra Police. Pertamina fully supports the steps taken by the North Sumatra Police and the ranks in taking action against the perpetrators of illegal fuel abuse," said Fredy.

Based on data from the Directorate of Special Investigation and Crimes (Ditreskrimsus) of the North Sumatra Police from March to August 2023, 18 cases of illegal subsidized diesel fuel smuggling and subsidized LPG gas mixing have been uncovered.

"Thank you for the firm steps taken by the North Sumatra Police and the ranks of the perpetrators of oil and gas abuse," said Fredy.