Adulterated fuel seized in Mumbai

Officials at the Crime Branch Control carried out a raid in Mumbai at three illegal manufacturing units on April 6, confiscating several drums of adulterated fuel oil with an estimated value of approximately Rs1 crore (US$225,203). The raids took place in Sewri, at Anjirwadi in Mazagaon and the Mahavir Estate in Dahisar. Nineteen people were arrested as a result of the crackdown. The accused reportedly would buy some genuine lubricants and mix it with used or burnt lubricants using a special dye, so that it appears to be fresh lubricant. The adulterated lubricants, which was a mixture of fresh and used oil, were being sold across Maharashtra. Senior Inspector Rakesh Sharma of the Crime Branch Control said, “While the manufacturing cost of a drum containing counterfeit lubricant would not exceed Rs 2,000 (US$45.37) a drum, the dealers would sell each drum for Rs 20,000 to 25,000 (US$454 – $567, making huge profits.” (April 8, 2011)