China: 66 suspects caught over alleged stealing of marine fuel during bunkering ops

Editor’s note [31 December 2024]: Photo updated.

China’s Ministry of Public Security launched a six-month campaign in April 2024 to combat theft and smuggling on the Yangtze River’s waterways, resolving resolved more than 300 criminal cases involving RMB 320 million (USD 43.8 million), reported China Daily.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday (24 December), Luo Ji, an official with the public security management department of the Ministry of Public Security, highlighted enforcement personnel solving a major case involving alleged marine fuel theft during the third quarter of 2024.

In September, authorities caught 66 suspects for allegedly stealing marine fuel during bunkering operations. Police said the group had stolen more than 10,000 metric tonnes of fuel worth over RMB 53 million (USD 7.3 million).

Mr Luo, meanwhile, also said police launched another campaign dubbed “Safe Yangtze River 2024” during February to combat against illegal fishing, sand mining, theft and smuggling along the Yangtze River.

The campaign solved more than 5,200 criminal cases and dismantled over 710 criminal organizations.

Source: China Daily
Photo credit: Publicity Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security
Published: 26 December 2024