Palembang, KOTABARI.COM – Once again, a joint task force comprising officers from the Palembang Metropolitan Police (Polrestabes), intelligence division (intelkam), detective unit (satreskrim), and other relevant authorities, conducted an operation to crackdown on warehouses suspected of being used for illegal oil storage in the city. The operation took place on Sunday, July 23, 2023.
A day earlier, in the early hours of Saturday, July 22, 2023, the authorities carried out the crackdown on three locations of illegal oil warehouses situated on Sarkowi Street, Sungai Pedado Village, Kertapati District, Palembang. Upon arriving at the scene (TKP), the joint task force immediately set up police lines to secure the area.
The Palembang Metropolitan Police Chief, Commissioner Pol Harryo Sugihhartono, confirmed that the joint task force had successfully carried out the operation to dismantle the suspected illegal oil warehouses. “Last night, we conducted an operation to crackdown on these warehouses, as they were operating without proper permits,” he stated.
Before initiating the crackdown, the police had coordinated with the local neighborhood unit heads (RT and RW) to gather information regarding the presence of these warehouses. “We cordoned off the three locations. However, during the operation, the warehouses were found empty with no oil inside,” added Hadi.
Furthermore, AKBP Hadi Wijaya emphasized that the crackdown was carried out using a persuasive approach to uphold the law concerning the illegal trade of fuel (BBM) in the city. This was not the first time such an operation had been conducted; previously, on June 17, 2023, a joint task force comprising officers from the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Palembang Metropolitan Police, the Military Police (POM TNI), the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), and the Kertapati Police Station had raided five illegal oil warehouses on Satibi Darwis Street, RT 30, Keramasan Village, Kertapati District, Palembang.
This crackdown effort demonstrates the security forces’ commitment to taking decisive action against illegal practices that harm the community and the nation. It is hoped that these law enforcement measures will serve as a deterrent to illegal actors and contribute to making Palembang free from illegal oil trade in the future.