MUSI BANYUASIN, KOTABARI.COM – The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Musi Banyuasin Police Department, in collaboration with the Babat Toman Police Substation, successfully uncovered a case of fraudulent manufacturing of solar fuel in Karang Waru Village, Lawang Wetan District, Musi Banyuasin Regency on October 21st.
During the operation, law enforcement authorities arrested five suspects and seized approximately 6,000 liters of counterfeit solar fuel. This case has garnered public attention and raised concerns about the quality and safety of fuel products circulating in the market.
Musi Banyuasin Police Chief, AKBP Imam Safii, SIK, MSi, through the Acting Head of Criminal Investigation Unit, IPTU Dedi Kurniawan, SH, MH, revealed that the apprehension of the five suspects followed intensive information gathering and investigation.
“After collecting sufficient evidence related to the fuel counterfeiting activities, we immediately carried out the operation,” said Dedi.
The modus operandi of the suspects in counterfeiting solar fuel involved mixing crude oil obtained from drilling with various chemicals, including sulfuric acid. The resulting mixture was processed to resemble solar fuel and then stored in square iron tanks. Bleaching agents were also used to perfect the counterfeit product.
According to the confessions of the suspects, they were paid Rp150,000 per day for their involvement and had been engaged in fuel counterfeiting for the past month. Each of them received a total of Rp3 million from the warehouse manager known as Nubi.
The warehouse manager and owner, both residents of Rantau Panjang Village, have also been identified by the police and are currently being pursued.
The police will charge the suspects under Article 54 of Law No. 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Natural Gas, in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code. They face a possible sentence of six years in prison and a fine of Rp60 billion.
The law enforcement operation resulted in the confiscation of several pieces of evidence, including six white jerry cans containing a mixture suspected to contain sulfuric acid, seven blue jerry cans containing a chemical whitening agent, and various mixing machines and 1,000-liter tanks used in the fuel counterfeiting process.
At the scene, a massive 12-ton iron tank containing a dark liquid resembling solar fuel was discovered, estimated to weigh around 7 tons. Additionally, several chemical measuring devices and full-face masks were seized during the operation.
The case of counterfeit solar fuel serves as a stark reminder for the public to exercise caution when purchasing fuel and highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community in safeguarding the quality and safety of this essential energy source.