Muna Police Seize 4,660 Liters Of Pertalite From Hoarding And Arresting 8 Perpetrators

Muna Police Chief when showing the fuel confiscated from the perpetrators. (Between/La Ode Muh Deden Saputra)

The Muna Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Sat Reskrim) confiscated 4,660 liters pertalite from the disclosure of the practice of hoarding fuel oil or fuel at a gas station in Labunia Village, South Wakorumba District, Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province (Sultra). Muna Police Chief AKBP Indra Sandy Purnama Sakti said the operation, which was led directly by the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit AKP Arsangka, yielded results by confiscating as many as six units of four-wheeled vehicles suspected of being used to illegally transport pertalite. "In addition, we also confiscated 233 jerry cans containing 4,660 liters of pertalite and Rp10.6 million in cash which was suspected to be the result of illegal fuel sales," said Indra Sandy when met in Muna, Antara, Tuesday, August 27. During the operation, his party also arrested eight people suspected of being perpetrators who carried out the practice of hoarding illegal fuel. The perpetrators are suspected of hoarding by buying large amounts of fuel using jerry cans at gas stations managed by PT Sumber Wakorambu Utama. "In fact, the purchase of large amounts of fuel using jerry cans is not in accordance with its designation and must have an official transportation permit," he said. After buying large amounts of fuel at gas stations, the perpetrators hoarded fuel and resold it to the public at a higher price, so that the perpetrators got a large enough profit. "The difference in the selling price is quite significant, namely between Rp. 10,000 to Rp. 20,000 per jerry can, it is an attraction for the perpetrators to take action against this law," said Indra Sandy. He explained that the perpetrators who were arrested would be subject to Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Job Creation which had amended Law Number 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Gas of Earth with the threat of imprisonment for 6 years. Indra Sandy also appealed to the entire community not to take action to hoard fuel like the eight people did. Police officers will continue to carry out patrols and take action against all forms of violations of the law in the oil and gas sector.

"The public is also advised to report any indications of misuse of fuel to the police," added Indra Sandy.