Four suspects were arrested in Biyagama after Police seized two bowsers containing 19,060 litres of diesel that had been illegally collected and stored.
The raid was carried out yesterday evening by the Kelaniya Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau following a tip-off. The suspects, aged 20, 22, 32 and 42, are residents of Heiyanthuduwa, Thihagoda and Nelumdeniya.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had paid drivers of lorries, tipper trucks and other vehicles travelling on the road to siphon diesel from their fuel tanks without a license. The fuel was then stored in tanks prepared by the suspects and later sold.
Police also seized two motorised hoses used to extract fuel from vehicles, 16 barrels and Rs. 381,000 in cash at the time of the arrests. (Newswire)
