Mozambique: 3 arrested for trying to steal 800,000 liters of fuel

Othree suspects, including a mozambican appointed as a customs technician of a company responsible for document processing to authorize the exit of cistern trucks and two zimbabuean drivers, were arrested on August 31, in the city of Beira, accused of aggravated theft of fuel, said the spokesman of the National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) in Sofala, Alfeu Sitóe.

According to the person responsible, the arrests took place in the context of investigations into an aggravated robbery of 400,000 litres of diesel, loaded in a tanker to the province of Manica, which took place on 13 May, using false documents.

Alfeu Sitóe explained that the arrests resulted from complaints about the existence of a group that intended to repeat the scheme used in that case by falsifying documents to divert a new fuel load.

“ This time they came with two trucks. So, a truck has a capacity of 400,000 liters and two is 800,000 liters,” said Lusa the spokesperson for Sernic.

According to the investigation, the customs technician would have been approached to facilitate the operation, allowing the loading of tankers by means of falsified documentation, in exchange for payments to be made in a phased manner until the arrival of the cargo at the final destination, still unknown by the authorities.

“The first time they carried. They succeeded, the crime was consummated and reached the destination, and at this moment we are behind to know where exactly it went ", added Alfeu Sitóe.

The police also indicated that the two Zimbabwean citizens are waiting for the process to be released, through bail, by decision of the criminal investigation judge, while the Mozambican suspect remains in custody for failing to pay the security.

The spokesman reiterated the commitment of the authorities to fight crime, calling on the population to report and share relevant information to prevent the occurrence of crimes and to hold the perpetrators responsible.

In Mozambique there are recurrent cases of fuel theft involving foreigners, since April and May, months marked by strong pressures on fuels, after the price of diesel has risen on May 7 45.5% and that of gasoline 12.1% per liter.

In the same months, the shortage of petrol and diesel caused queues of dozens of cars and led to the strengthening of the presence of the Police Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) in gas stations, to ensure the safety and control the turnout of motorists, motorcyclists and consumers with containers.