Illegal Diesel racket:

Two in custody

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Two people have been taken into custody by the Morontuduwa police in the Nugegoda area while trying to sell 120 litres of Diesel from a tipper belonging to China Harbour Company Limited which is engaging in the constructions of the Southern Highway.

Police said one of the accused is the driver of the tipper while the other is the person who came to buy Diesel. Morontuduwa police conducted the raid following a tip-off by a resident of the Nugegoda area.

These people have been engaging in this illegal Diesel racket for a long period. A litre of stolen Diesel is sold at a lesser price than the market price. Therefore people tend to purchase the illegal fuel secretly as it is cheaper. According to the police, heavy vehicle drivers of China Harbour Company Limited are alleged engaged in selling fuel and building materials including iron, cement, mixed concrete.

The two suspects along with the tipper and Diesel will be produced before Courts. Morontuduwa police are investigating.