Law

Central Java Police Bust LPG Fraud, Illegal Mining

Stateline MEDIA Newsroom•October 17, 2026•3 min read

Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Roy Hardi Siahaan has busted three cases at once: subsidized LPG repackaging in Pati, subsidized diesel misuse in Cilacap, and illegal mining in Semarang. Six suspects were named, facing up to six years in prison and fines of up to Rp100 billion.

Key Facts

Central Java Police Chief Insp. Gen. Roy Hardi Siahaan held a press conference at the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) headquarters in Banyumanik, Semarang, on Friday (16/10/2026), accompanied by Ditreskrimsus Director Sr. Comr. Taufik Hidayat, Public Relations Head Sr. Comr. Yuliyanto, and representatives of Pertamina Patra Niaga and the Central Java Energy and Mineral Resources Agency.
First case: diversion of subsidized 3-kg LPG cylinders into non-subsidized 12-kg and 50-kg cylinders at a warehouse in Ceblek Kidul village, Margoyoso, Pati.
Second case: misuse of subsidized diesel fuel in Cilacap; police seized 10,206.48 liters of diesel at a warehouse, naming a suspect identified as Asep, the warehouse manager.
Third case: unlicensed mining of fill soil and andesite stone in Leyangan village, East Ungaran, Semarang Regency, uncovered on Saturday (10/10/2026); the operation allegedly ran since early September 2026.
Suspect A.P. (48), a Semarang Regency resident; evidence includes two excavators, a bundle of delivery notes, and Rp966,000 in cash; estimated potential non-metal mineral tax of Rp2.61-3.3 billion (an estimate of potential tax, not established state losses).
Six suspects in total; the fuel suspects face Article 55 of Law No. 22/2001 on Oil and Gas (up to 6 years in prison, Rp60 billion fine); the mining suspect faces Article 158 of Law No. 3/2020 on Mineral and Coal Mining (up to 5 years, Rp100 billion fine).

Three Cases Busted at Once

Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Roy Hardi Siahaan disclosed three major cases at once during a press conference at the Ditreskrimsus headquarters on Jalan Sukun Raya, Banyumanik, Semarang, on Friday (16/10/2026). Six suspects were named in total.

"The impact of those who misuse or try to hoard subsidized fuel, including LPG, is that it can cause scarcity," Roy said.

LPG Repackaging in Pati, Illegal Diesel in Cilacap

The first case involved the diversion of subsidized 3-kg LPG into non-subsidized 12-kg and 50-kg cylinders at a warehouse in Ceblek Kidul village, Margoyoso, Pati. Gas meant for low-income households was redirected for bigger profits.

In the second case in Cilacap, police secured 10,206.48 liters of subsidized diesel stored at a warehouse. A suspect identified as Asep acted as the warehouse manager. The suspects face Article 55 of Law No. 22/2001 on Oil and Gas, carrying up to six years in prison and a Rp60 billion fine.

Illegal Mining in Semarang, Billions in Potential Tax

The third case was unlicensed mining of fill soil and andesite stone in Leyangan village, East Ungaran, Semarang Regency. When police arrived on Saturday (10/10/2026), two excavators were operating and workers could not produce permits; the activity allegedly ran since early September 2026.

Suspect A.P. (48), a Semarang Regency resident, was named as the person in charge. Seized evidence: two excavators, a bundle of delivery notes, and Rp966,000 in cash. The Energy Agency estimated potential lost non-metal mineral tax at Rp2.61-3.3 billion - stressed as an estimate of potential tax, not established state losses. The suspect faces Article 158 of Law No. 3/2020 on Mineral and Coal Mining, with up to five years in prison and a Rp100 billion fine.

Investigation Ongoing

The police chief stressed his force will keep hunting subsidized fuel and LPG misuse as well as illegal mining. Hoarding and diverting subsidies not only harms state finances but can also trigger scarcity. The investigation is being developed, including possible involvement of other parties.