Riau Islands Police Arrest 3 Suspects Of Abusing Subsidized Fuel

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

BATAM - Riau Islands Police (Kepri) arrested three suspects in oil and gas (Migas) crimes related to the misuse of biodiesel fuel subsidies.

The three suspects each with the initials TK as the owner and driver of the minibus used to transport biodiesel, then SN and RK who act as drivers.

"There are two crime scenes, namely at SP Plaza Park and at the Tembesi gas station, Batu Aji District, Batam City," said Deputy Director of the Ditreskrimsus Polda Kepri AKBP Nugroho Agus Setiawan as quoted by Antara, Monday, April 18.

AKBP Nugroho explained that the modus operandi of the suspects was to buy subsidized biodiesel using a Brizzi card that had been changed using a sticker so that it resembled the original and the card could be used to buy biodiesel.

In addition, the suspect also modified the fuel tank of the minibus vehicle used, so that it could accommodate 300 to 500 liters of biodiesel fuel.

The three were caught by officers when members of the Sub-Directorate IV of Tipidter Ditreskrimsus Polda Kepri were monitoring fuel shortages at several gas stations in the Batam area.

During monitoring, he continued, one unit of a minibus bus was refueling and it was empty and there were no passengers. After checking, the team found irregularities where the fuel tank had been modified.

"From the results of the investigation, we have arrested three suspects involved in the alleged misuse of subsidized fuel," explained AKBP Nugroho.

The evidence that was secured by the officers included three units of a red minibus, which is a city transportation route on the Dapur 12, Batam.

Then, 1,100 liters of subsidized Bio Solar fuel, a Brizzi fuel card for the purchase of subsidized biodiesel and two payment receipts for Brizzi Pertamina biodiesel.

The actions of the suspects violated Article 40 Number 9 of Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation as Amendment to Article 55 of Law Number 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Gas with a maximum imprisonment of 6 years and a maximum fine of Rp. 60 billion.