3 Suspects Arrested in Illegal Gas-Fueled Car Scheme

A joint operation by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the airport, the Divisional Crime Intelligence Unit (DCIU), and the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) on Sunday, July 21, resulted in the arrest of three individuals suspected of using household gas as a car fuel.

One of the suspects, a 44-year-old man, is believed to have converted his home garage in Plaine-Magnien into a secret filling station for vehicles.

According to the police, the suspect had been operating this illegal business for approximately eight months, selling gas to motorists at a markup of Rs 300 per cylinder, while the actual cost of a 12-kilogram blue cylinder is Rs 190.

Two other suspects, aged 27 and 49, were also arrested.

The police found two compressors at the scene, one of which was not in good condition. Upon arrival, the owner of the garage was filling two vehicles with gas.

During questioning, he admitted that he had no permit for these activities. The police discovered 46 empty 12-kilogram cylinders, four empty 6-kilogram cylinders, 28 new 6-kilogram cylinders, and equipment used for transferring gas from cylinders to vehicles.

The two motorists who were caught at the scene admitted that they had come to refill their vehicles with gas.

After their arrest, the three suspects were taken into police custody and provisionally charged with “Decanting liquefied petroleum gas from small cylinder”. They remain in detention.

Illegal Gas-Fueled Car Filling Stations Abound

A taxi driver in the capital city revealed that this type of illegal filling station is widespread on the island.

“A cylinder costs Rs 190, but we pay a small premium to fill up our vehicles. At some places, we pay Rs 275,” he said.

“Decanting” – A Dangerous Practice

While using gas as a car fuel is not illegal, using household gas to refill vehicle cylinders is.

Some individuals take advantage of the cheaper price of household gas to fill up their tanks at a lower cost. However, this practice is dangerous and illegal without proper permits.

According to the Consumer Protection (Use of liquefied petroleum gas in small cylinders) Regulations of 2012, an individual found guilty of “decanting” can face a maximum fine of Rs 100,000 and imprisonment for up to three years.

Source: Defi Media