Lucknow: The Lucknow Police Commissionerate’s Crime Branch has uncovered an alleged fuel theft, adulteration and black marketing network under “Operation Ethanol Shield,” leading to the arrest of four accused and the seizure of thousands of litres of petroleum products.
The operation was carried out by a special Crime Branch team under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kiran Yadav in the Malihabad police station area. Acting on intelligence inputs, the team raided a house located on Gulabkheda (Kanar) Road near the Sanyasi Bagh Flyover, where a fuel tanker and another vehicle were found under suspicious circumstances.
According to the police, the tanker had departed from the HPCL terminal at Amausi carrying petrol and diesel for Shubham Filling Station on Vidhan Sabha Marg. During the investigation, officers alleged that fuel was siphoned from the tanker en route and sold illegally before reaching its intended destination. Officials from the Excise Department were called to the spot to conduct verification and testing of the seized petroleum products.
Police said the raid resulted in the seizure of approximately 7,750 litres of petrol, 4,000 litres of diesel, around 1,150 litres of allegedly adulterated petrol, and nearly 3,200 litres of solvent. An additional 250 litres of petrol was recovered from the tanker’s chambers and pipelines. Investigators also seized a master key, dip rod, plastic pipes, funnels, measuring equipment and other tools allegedly used for siphoning and adulterating fuel.
During interrogation, police claimed that the tanker driver admitted to siphoning petrol during transit and selling it at around ₹75 per litre. Investigators further alleged that the purchased fuel was mixed with solvent and sold to local customers at higher prices, generating illegal profits.
The four arrested accused have been identified as Anil Kumar, Abhishek Rajput, Dheeraj Singh and Ramteerth. Police said further questioning and legal proceedings are underway to identify other individuals who may be linked to the alleged racket.
Additional DCP (Crime) Kiran Yadav said Operation Ethanol Shield has been launched to curb organised crimes involving fuel theft, illegal adulteration and black marketing, adding that strict action will continue against those involved in such activities.
