The Practice Of Subsidized Elpiji Gas Transfer In Banten Is Dismantled, Perpetrators Raup Untung Up To Rp300 Million Per Month

A Gang of LPG gas cylinders in Banten/ Photo: IST

SERANG - Sub-Directorate IV of the Ditreskrimsus of the Banten Police secured 1,208 subsidized 3 kilogram LPG gas cylinders as evidence of the mixed gas case in Banten Regency. A total of four people became suspects in this case.

As explained by the Head of Public Relations of the Banten Police, Kombes Didik Hariyanto, the perpetrators have been detained since Monday, September 11, at around 21.00 WIB at Grean Royal Housing, East Rangkasbitung Village, Rangkasbitung District, Lebak Regency, Banten.

The perpetrators had the initials AR (37), EF (33), MM (55), and MD (47). Now investigators are still pursuing 3 other perpetrators with the initials ST who act as the owner. Also the perpetrator with the initials BD as the field supervisor, AN as the Procurator of Activities," said Didik in a written statement, Tuesday, September 19.

Didik also conveyed that the mode they carried out was by buying 3 kg gas cylinders from the Tangerang and Bekasi areas, then sending them to the Lebak area for the transfer of 3 kg LPG gas contents to the LPG 12 kg non-subsidized LPG cylinders which were still empty.

"The transfer of the contents of the gas was carried out using a modified gas hose and regulator to fully fill the 12 kg non-subsidized gas cylinders, at least they needed 4 3 kg of melon gas cylinders," said Didik.

The evidence that was successfully secured was in the form of 1,208 LPG cylinders, including 901 3 kg gas cylinders consisting of 428 empty tubes and 473 empty tubes, 307 12 kg gas cylinders consisting of 106 cylinders containing, 201 empty tubes. 1 Mitsubishi Fuso truck number F-9541-WA and 5 units of Suzuki Carry vehicle number B-9689-WAE, B-9833-JAA, A-8336-FG, B-9833-JAA, and A-8550-ZR. Then 3 hoses and LPG gas regulators, 1 plastic seal LPG gas, 1 triple.

"In a day the perpetrator can move the contents of the cylinder as much as 600 to 900 tubes and the perpetrators get a profit of 140 thousand per 4 tubes measuring 3 kg. So that the total profit earned by the perpetrator is Rp. 21 million to Rp. 31 million per day," he said.

From the results of the investigation by investigators against the suspect, the practice of injecting subsidized gas has been running for about 1 week with the selling price of LPG oplosan from 3 Kg LPG cylinders to 12 Kg LPG cylinders at a price of Rp. 213,000 to Rp. 220,000 per tube, this resulted in state losses of approximately Rp. 300,000,000 within 1 week.

The suspects are subject to Article 55 of Law Number 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Gas as amended by Article 40 number 9 of Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Stipulation of Government Regulations in Lieu of Law Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation into Law.

Article 62 in conjunction with Article 8 letters b and c of Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) to 1e of the Criminal Code. With the threat of a maximum imprisonment of 5 years or a maximum fine of IDR 2 billion.