Major fuel racket busted

The police Special Task Force officers acting on the direction of the Defence Secretary and the IGP busted a major racket involving the sale of fuel illegally siphoned off from stocks issued by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) after mixing it with inferior varieties when they raided several illegal distribution centres at Kadawatha, Kirimetiyagara, Kohilawatta and Athurugiriya areas yesterday. Seventeen persons who operated these centres were also arrested and their premises sealed.

Police also found the racketeers using underground tanks as well to engage in this business. They seized a large stock of Diesel, Engine oil and other lubricating oils during the raids and further investigations are handled by the CID, a press release issued by Police Headquarters said yesterday.

Samples of oil taken from these centres were sent to laboratory of the CPC for analysis.

The CID has requested the public to provide them with information in connection with the racket.