inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The South Kalimantan Regional Police have uncovered approximately IDR 12.4 billion in state losses resulting from the misuse of subsidized fuel and LPG, aka illegal energy distribution practices.

"This state loss is calculated based on the amount of confiscated evidence, including fuel and LPG," said South Kalimantan Regional Police Chief Inspector General Rosyanto Yudha Hermawan, Monday (5/4/2026).

From April 6 to May 4, 2026, the South Kalimantan Regional Police, along with 13 other police stations under the Special Task Force, arrested 33 suspects from 28 crime scenes.

The confiscated evidence included 9,849 liters of subsidized fuel oil of Pertalite, 2,985 liters of diesel, 723 3-kg gas cylinders, 488 empty 3-kg gas cylinders, 2,213 portable gas cylinders, 277 jerry cans of various sizes, one 1,000-liter tank, four six-wheeled vehicles, seven four-wheeled vehicles, one three-wheeled vehicle, and 12 two-wheeled vehicles.

Hermawan revealed that the modus operandi of the perpetrators of the illegal fuel trade was to resell it at a higher price.

For LPG, a new method uncovered by the Banjarmasin Sub-regional City Police Criminal Investigation Unit involved transferring subsidized gas into portable gas cans.

"So, one 3-kg cylinder produces 10 portable gas cans, with a selling price of IDR 15,000 per can. Some of the sales were also online," explained the Regional Police Chief.

He emphasized that the investigations will not only target perpetrators in the field, but that his team will continue to investigate organized illegal distribution networks. This effort will involve strengthening synergy and collaboration with relevant parties such as Pertamina, SKK Migas, BPH Migas, Patra Niaga, and the public.

He stated that this demonstrates police's commitment to safeguarding national energy sovereignty and ensuring that state subsidies truly benefit the rightful public.

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