2 lakh liters of adulterated oil seized in Mumbai raids

The Mumbai police conducted at least six raids against the oil mafia in Mumbai over two days, with around 1,200 drums, containing 2 lakh liters of adulterated petrol, diesel, kerosene and furnace oil, seized in Kurla alone. The seizure yielded a total of Rs 65 lakh (US$144,554) worth of oil products. Though police have arrested Abdul Gaffar Hasan, 55, the kingpin of the oil mafia in the city, around a dozen others who worked under him are absconding. Sohrab Hussain and Aminbhai are among the major racketeers who have gone underground, said investigators. The raids are part of the statewide drive against the oil mafia, following the murder of additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane which prodded Home Minister R.R. Patil to come down heavily on the oil mafia and ordering a police crackdown. (January 30, 2011)