np.polri.go.id - Serang. The Banten Regional Police's Special Crimes Directorate has uncovered an operation involving the misappropriation of subsidized fuel, specifically subsidized Pertalite and Bio Solar.
The suspects utilized fake license plates and illegal barcodes to bypass purchase limits at various gas stations (SPBU).
"Theyused a calculated modus operandi by falsifying vehicle registration plates to match the barcodes in their possession. This allowed them to deceive gas station attendants and perform repeated refills," said Banten Police Chief Inspector General Hengki during a press conference in Serang on Tuesday (5/5/2026), as cited by antaranews.com/.
The investigation, covering operations throughout April 2026, led to the arrest of five suspects identified as NN (45), ED (61), AT (50), NM (21), and RD (41). The group used modified box trucks equipped with hidden storage tanks capable of holding 2,000 to 5,000 liters. The collected subsidized fuel was then resold at non-subsidized market prices for personal profit.
Agung Kaharesa Wijaya, the Sales Area Manager for state energy distribution company PT Pertamina Patra Niaga in Banten, said that authorities seized 3,791 liters of fuel as evidence. The illegal practice is estimated to have caused state losses of approximately Rp 25 million per day.
PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has vowed to take stern action, including potential contract termination for any gas station staff found complicit in the scheme. The suspects face charges under the Oil and Gas Law, as amended by the Job Creation Law.
(mg/inp/pr/rs)
