Cachar Police Bust Big Fuel Smuggling Racket Near Silchar ISBT, Two Arrested

Cachar Police have busted a major fuel smuggling racket that was siphoning diesel using tanker trucks, diverting from the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) Depot and selling it illegally after adulteration.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Numal Mahatta conducted a raid on Tuesday night (August 19) at a shady godown in the Ramnagar area near Silchar ISBT. During the operation, police seized a fuel tanker truck (AS11EC1556), over 13,000 litres of diesel, along with pumps and containers used for siphoning and mixing.

SSP Mahatta said, “We had intel that an illegal theft and smuggling of fuel was being carried out near Ramnagar ISBT. We found a tanker from which fuel was being pumped out inside a huge godown built illegally in a secluded area. Two persons were arrested—Sahel Ahmed Laskar of Silchar and Swapan Das of Ramnagar, a permanent resident of Hailakandi. The tanker had collected fuel from the IOCL depot but was diverted for illegal sale. The fuel was adulterated with chemicals and water to increase volume and sold to neighbouring states.”

Police suspect the racket was designed not only for adulteration but also to evade inter-state fuel tax. SSP Mahatta added that several middlemen are likely involved in diverting fuel tankers from IOCL. “From our primary investigation, we find that there is a big racket involved in this. These smugglers have been trying to dupe the police for a long time, but we are determined to arrest everyone connected,” he said.

The arrested men, godown owner Swapan Das and tanker owner Sahel Ahmed Laskar, are currently in custody. Police believe more arrests are likely as the investigation continues.