TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The busting of two oil pilferage rackets at Zuarinagar and Sancoale within two and half months has brought under scanner the role of local police stations for allegedly allowing the illegality to flourish.
A senior police officer has not ruled out local police and fuel pilferage gang nexus even as one of five absconding accused in the Sancoale case – John Teles alias Anthu was arrested in the previous case only to be released on bail later.
The crime branch sleuths on Saturday arrested 11 persons and attached five tankers in a raid at two places in Sancoale. But, five accused identified as John Teles, Mehboob, Mulla Gaus, Girish and Bhaiyya (full names of both not known) gave the raiding team a slip. A tempo carrying 12 barrels was also driven away by the accused. A search operation was launched soon thereafter but in vain. The arrested were on Sunday remanded in police custody for 10 days.
Teles was among 15 persons arrested during another major raid at Zuarinagar on March 13 while eight tankers – three owned by Teles and a tempo were attached. He has been accused of siphoning oil from fuel tankers from secluded locations and transferring to containers. The stolen oil was illegally sold at a much higher price.
“It’s strange that local police stations are not aware of the illegalities while the CB gets the information. The department will investigate whether and why they have been shielding the illegal operations,” the officer said. Some suspecting workers at petroleum companies could also be probed to ascertain if they are a part of the conspiracy.
Teles, who started as a cleaner to become owners of many tankers is allegedly involved in two other cases reported at different police stations in 2012 and 2009. Police are however tight-lipped to disclose details of his alleged past involvements. The total value of the seizures is calculated at Rs 5 crore approximately.
