Police have arrested 675 people who illegally hoarded fuel with the intention of selling them for higher prices later and recovered 66198 litres of fuel.
“Among the stocks found were 21,636 litres of petrol, 33,462 litres of diesel and 11,100 litres of kerosene,” Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.
He added that the fuel was found during a search operation that lasted for several days.
“The fuel was found after 660 raids were conducted over several days,” the Police Spokesman said.
“They have been selling fuel at high prices and many of the raids have been based on information provided by the public,” he added.
SSP Thalduwa said that due to fuel shortages, fuel is being stockpiled illegally and sold at exorbitant prices.
Thalduwa further stated that legal action is being taken against those arrested with the assistance of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
