Babat Toman, KOTABARI.COM – The Criminal Investigation Unit of Babat Toman Police Station, led by Detective Chief Inspector Iptu Lekat Hariyanto, has successfully apprehended Sopyan (45), a resident of Toman Village, on Tuesday (23/04/2024). The arrest was made shortly after a fire broke out at his illegal oil refinery.
The incident occurred on Tuesday (23/04/2023) around 11:30 AM local time at Km 2 of Dusun VII in Toman Village, Babat Toman District, Musi Banyuasin Regency. Fortunately, there were no casualties in the incident, but the fire was extinguished after approximately one hour. The fire is suspected to have been caused by a leakage in the oil distillation tank, igniting nearby items.
AKP Rama Yudha, the Chief of Babat Toman Police Station, confirmed the incident and stated that the suspect, along with the evidence, has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Unit (pidsus) of Musi Banyuasin Police Resort (Polres Muba) for further investigation.
AKP Bondan Try Hoetomo, the Chief of Criminal Investigation Unit of Polres Muba, also confirmed that the case involving the suspect Sopyan has been taken over by their unit. The suspect is charged under Article 53 of the Indonesian Law Number 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Natural Gas, with a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp 50 billion.
Bondan also issued a warning to individuals involved in illegal refinery or drilling activities to cease their operations. This is because such activities not only endanger lives but also harm the environment and cause losses to the nation.
This case highlights the importance of law enforcement in combating illegal activities that harm society and the environment. Polsek Babat Toman and Polres Muba are committed to continuing their crackdown on perpetrators of such crimes to maintain public safety, order, and environmental sustainability.