ersonnel of Karanganyar Police, Central Java, dismantled on Tuesday a syndicate allegedly selling subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at non-subsidized prices.
The syndicate was uncovered during investigations by the police following public complaints about a shortage in supply of 3-kilogram subsidized LPG canisters in Surakarta and nearby areas.
In their operations, the syndicate members moved LPG from 3-kg canisters to 12-kg non-subsidized LPG canisters. The mastermind of the syndicate was arrested in Tuesday’s raid, during which the police confiscated hundreds of non-subsidized LPG canisters ready for distribution.
Karanganyar Police chief AKBP Ade Sjafri Simanjuntak said the raid was conducted based on reports from locals about suspicious activities conducted in a used-quail coop belonging to Adi Supriyanto in Selokaton village, Gondangrejo.
“Local residents grew suspicious after seeing the loading and unloading of LPG canisters in a used quail coop. Some people later investigated and saw the alleged perpetrators pump the LPG from the 3-kg canisters to the 12-kg canisters,” said Ade.
The police later raided the location with the help of an Anti-Food Mafia Task Force team. The police arrested the syndicate’s mastermind Eko Setiawan, 34, a resident of Gandekan, Jebres, Surakarta. Two other suspects are still on the loose.
During the raid, the police confiscated 200 full 12-kg LPG canisters and 92 empty 3-kg gas canisters. They also seized eight hoses.
“This syndicated worked in a very orderly and professional manner. They bought the 3-kg LPG canisters from several different locations and moved their contents to 12-kg canisters, which they sold across Surakarta,” said Ade. (ebf)
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