Police Arrest Cross-Regency Fuel Smugglers In Kendari

Dozens of jerry cans containing Pertalite type fuel were successfully secured by the police. (ANTARA/La Ode Muh Deden Saputra)

The Kendari Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim), the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police arrested an oil supplier (BBM) of the type of pertalite across districts in Kendari City. Kasatreskrim Kendari Police AKP Fitrayadi said the fuel smuggler who was arrested had the initials AL (27), a resident of North Konawe Regency. "Today, January 23, 2024, one suspect (fuel smuggler) has been named," said Fitrayadi in Kendari, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, January 23. The arrests began when the Kendari Police team was carrying out patrols. While crossing R. Soeprapto Street, a suspicious minibus was found because it had a very heavy load. "So the personnel stopped the vehicle. When they stopped, they were checked for cargo so that they were found to contain dozens of jerry cans containing pertalite type fuel," he said. Fitrayadi explained that during the inspection, the Pertalite type fuel loaded in the car did not have a valid permit. "BBM tersebut adalah BBM yang penyediaan dan pendistributannya diberikan penugasan oleh pemerintah," jelasnya. Based on the perpetrator's statement, continued Fitrayadi, he filled the fuel at one of the Public Fuel Filling Stations (SPBU) in Kendari City. "It is filled at a gas station in Kendari which will then be taken to North Konawe Regency," he explained.

He said that currently the perpetrators and evidence in the form of a four-wheeled vehicle with the police number DT 1401 EM along with 15 jerry cans containing pertalite type fuel and one meter of plastic hose were secured at the Kendari Police Headquarters.

The perpetrators will also be subject to Article 55 of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 55 of 2001 as amended by Article 40 number 9 of the Perpu Number 22 of 2022 concerning Job Creation with a threat of 6 years in prison.