In a significant crackdown on cross-border smuggling, the Motihari police have dismantled an organised gang involved in stealing and adulterating oil from tankers along a key national highway near the India-Nepal frontier. The operation led to the arrest of five individuals and the seizure of a large cache of stolen fuel.
The Raid and Seizure
Acting on a tip-off about illegal activities in Majhriya village near National Highway-28A, Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat constituted a special task force. This team was led by Raxaul Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Manish Anand and included personnel from five police stations—Raxaul, Adapur, and Palanawa—along with officers from the district intelligence unit.
The coordinated raid resulted in the recovery of 57 drums filled with diesel, totalling approximately 9,600 litres, and 23 empty drums. Police also confiscated a substantial quantity of chemicals used to adulterate the stolen fuel. The arrested individuals have been identified as Haqim Hawari, Bhuwan Ram, Shashi Ram, Shyambabu Kumar, and Jhunna Sah. All are residents of areas under the Raxaul and Ramgarhwa police stations.
Modus Operandi of the Gang
According to SDPO Manish Anand, the gang had been operating this racket for a considerable period. Their method was sophisticated and involved collusion with drivers of vehicles carrying oil. The thieves would target trucks stranded on NH-28A, particularly those transporting fuel from Haldia port to Kathmandu, Nepal.
After siphoning off the diesel, the gang would mix ethanol into it, a process that altered its appearance to resemble petrol. This adulterated fuel was then sold in local markets across the bordering villages. The gang members, often in cahoots with drivers, would even provide fabricated proof of the theft to the vehicle owners to cover their tracks.
Risks and Ongoing Investigation
SDPO Anand issued a stern warning about the dangers of using such adulterated fuel. The use of this chemically mixed oil can cause severe damage to vehicle engines, leading to costly repairs and potential safety hazards for unsuspecting buyers in rural areas.
The police investigation has revealed that this was a well-established syndicate. The arrested accused have confessed to the long-standing operation, which involved supplying the tampered oil disguised as petrol in border area markets. Police are now conducting further raids to apprehend the kingpin and other accomplices linked to this illegal trade network.
This bust highlights the ongoing challenges of smuggling and fuel adulteration along porous border zones and underscores the vigilance of local police in tackling organised crime affecting both national infrastructure and public safety.
