Case Of Hoarding Of Subsidized Solar In Padang, Police Ask For Opinion From Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency

Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Koto Tangah Police, Ipda Mardianto. ANTARA/FathulAbdi

PADANG - The Koto Tangah Police Sector, Padang, West Sumatra, is seeking the opinion of an oil and gas expert in the process of the alleged hoarding of subsidized diesel fuel.

"To complete the case file, we are asking for information from an expert from BPH Migas in Jakarta", said Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Koto Tangah Police, Ipda Mardianto, in Padang, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, October 26.

According to him, expert opinion is necessary to explain the flow and provisions for the distribution of subsidized diesel oil.

Mardianto said three suspects with the initials DS (40), AD (45), and HT (30) had undergone examination and detention in the Koto Tangah Police Sector cell.

He said that his party would soon complete the filing of the case of suspected hoarding of subsidized diesel fuel of around 1 ton so that it could be handed over to the public prosecutor (JPU).

From the examination, he continued, so far investigators have uncovered the modus operandi of the suspects. They buy diesel at public gas stations (SPBU).

"They fill (diesel) at night about five jerry cans for every purchase. Next, the oil is collected until it reaches 1 ton", he explained.

After the oil is collected, then they resell subsidized diesel for non-subsidized oil so that they make a profit of around IDR 2,000.00 to IDR 3,000.00 per liter.

The suspects are charged with Article 55 of Law Number 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Gas. related to the misuse of transportation and/or trade of fuel oil subsidized by the Government.

Previously, the Koto Tangah Sector Police revealed the case after receiving information on suspected hoarding activities in a house in the Air Pacah area.

The police then followed up on the information by conducting an investigation, then arresting them on Thursday, September 30.