Indonesian Cops on Guard for Possible Fuel Smuggle to East Timor
12 November 2014 14:06 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Kupang – The police of East Nusa Tenggara are on alert for possible smuggling of subsidized fuel to East Timor. East Nusa Tenggara Police chief, Brig. Gen. Endang Sunjaya, said he had sent officers to stand guard in a number of gas stations to anticipate for smuggling.
"There has been cases of subsidized fuel smuggle to Timor Leste," said Endang.
The police are recording vehicles coming in and out of gas stations in a bid to prevent one person from buying in large quantities. "I know that some people have rigged their cars' gas tank to be able to hold more fuel," he said.
Fuel prices in East Timor, formerly Indonesia's 27th province before declaring independence in 1999, is very expensive. Smugglers try to profit from the situation by smuggling Indonesia's subsidized fuel to the country, selling it for Rp30,000 per liter.
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