Inp.polri.go.id - Pangkalpinang. The Bangka Belitung Regional Police uncovered an illegal subsidized 3-kilogram liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) decanting scheme that defrauded consumers and caused financial losses to the public.

During the enforcement operation conducted by the Special Crimes Investigation Directorate, police officers arrested two suspects identified by their initials J and M, while seizing 495 gas cylinders of varying capacities across two operational sites in Central Bangka and Pangkalpinang.

Director of Special Crimes Investigation Senior Superintendent Dwi Agung Setiyono explained during a press conference that the suspects operated an illegal transfer hub in Pedindang Village, Pangkalan Baru, alongside a distribution warehouse managed by suspect M.

"Suspect J played the primary role of transferring or decanting the gas content of four 3-kilogram subsidized LPG cylinders into a single 12-kilogram non-subsidized cylinder," she said on Tuesday.

In addition to transferring gas from four 3 kg subsidized cylinders into 12 kg units, the perpetrators also siphoned residual gas, ranging from 8 to 15 kilograms, from returned 50-kilogram commercial cylinders into 12 kg units.

Police seized 495 cylinders as physical evidence, including 364 empty 3 kg cylinders, 48 filled 3 kg cylinders, 49 filled 12 kg cylinders, 24 empty 12 kg cylinders, 10 empty 50 kg commercial cylinders, false security seals, and specialized transfer pipes. The suspects face severe legal charges under Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Gas as amended by Law No. 6 of 2023 on Job Creation, and with consumer protection regulations.

Bangka Belitung Police Head of Public Relations Senior Superintendent Agus Sugiyarso urged the public to verify LPG purchases by inspecting cylinder seals, checking physical weight consistency, and scanning PT Pertamina barcodes using official mobile apps.

(mg/ad/pr/rs)