Team Goemkarponn
DABOLIM: In a major crackdown on the illegal storage and handling of petroleum products, the Goa Crime Branch seized six fuel tankers, a tipper truck and suspected petroleum products worth approximately ₹1.5 crore during a six-hour raid at an open plot opposite Hotel Navil Exotica in Dabolim.
The operation was launched after the Crime Branch received specific intelligence on June 27 regarding the illegal storage and supply of petroleum products, which fall under the Essential Commodities Act. Acting on the input, a team led by Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Jivba Dalvi raided the site.
During the raid, officers inspected six fuel tankers and one tipper truck. Suspected combustible petroleum liquid was found stored in the tankers. Representative samples were collected, sealed and preserved for forensic examination. All vehicles and sample exhibits were seized under a detailed panchanama.
The raid, which lasted nearly six hours, was conducted in the presence of panch witnesses, forensic experts and officials from Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL).
According to the preliminary inquiry, the premises and vehicles were allegedly operated by Devendra Naik alias Raju Chawan of Sancoale. Investigators suspect that the petroleum products were being diverted into the illegal black market. Police also stated that the unauthorised storage of petroleum products posed a serious threat to the lives of people residing in the surrounding locality.
Based on the findings, the Crime Branch has registered an offence under Section 287 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 23 of the Petroleum Act, 1934, Sections 3 read with 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and Sections 8 read with 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The raiding team comprised SP Crime Branch Jivba Dalvi, DySP Suraj Halarnkar, Police Inspectors Tushar Lotlikar, Paresh Naik and Vikas Deykar, along with head constables, police constables and other personnel. The entire operation was supervised by DIG Ved Prakash Surya, IPS, Goa Police.
Further investigation into the case is in progress.
