Crude oil smuggling network busted; 12 arrested in Digboi

 OUR CORRESPONDENT

DIGBOI: On Thursday afternoon, the Assam Police arrested 12 persons, including the manager of a private oil company and security personnel, involved in the act of smuggling crude oil here in Digboi.

According to Dibyajyoti Dutta, Inspector, Digboi Police Station, as many as 12 persons were apprehended and six vehicles, including five tankers and a Bolero, were seized in connection with crude oil smuggling. The tankers loaded with the liquid consignment were parked in front of the Tingrai NRL petrol depot along the NH-38 when the Digboi police held them after receiving a tip-off about the alleged illegalities.

"The manager of Oilmax, a privately owned oil and gas company, security personnel, and tanker staff were held by Digboi police for selling around 4,000 out of 12,000 litres of crude oil in a tanker illegally to various smugglers while bringing the oil from Amguri to Digboi via Moran, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia," said Dutta.

As per the confession of the vehicle staff, a portion of the crude oil is normally sold on the way, and the quantity is refilled with water before being downloaded into the Digboi oil reservoirs. A huge network of smugglers operating from Sivsagar, covering Naogaon, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, etc., are actively involved in the nexus and are suspected by the police.

According to police sources, Oilmax Energy Pvt. Limited was entrusted with the responsibility of exploring and extracting the crude oil in Amguri and transporting it to Digboi under their security cover.

Ironically, Oil India Limited has reportedly expressed reluctance to lodge an FIR in this regard. However, the investigation to this effect was initiated after a suo motu case was registered.

Also Read: Crude oil target missed despite surpassing previous production

Also Watch: