Police bust organized crude oil smuggling network operating in Rajasthan for the past 6 years

50 million liters of oil stolen from Cairn India plant in Barmer

The Rajasthan police have arrested 31 persons and claimed to have busted an inter-state syndicate that allegedly stole crude oil worth crores of rupees from Cairn India’s oilfield in Barmer over the past several years.

“We have arrested 31 persons in connection with a crude oil stealing racket, including 7-8 persons working with Cairn India. Seventeen drivers involved in the syndicate have been arrested,” SP, Barmer, Gagandeep Singla told PTI.

More arrests are likely, he said adding that the police were investigating the links of the syndicate outside the state.

We have been able to establish links of the racket in Uttar Pradesh and Kolkata so far, Singla said adding that the role of some top officials of the oil and gas giant was also being examined.

The Barmer police had yesterday arrested two accused with one tanker that was filled with 2,200 litres crude oil, police officials said.
More than 75 people, many drivers and contractors working at the oilfield, are still wanted in connection with the heists, said district police chief Gangandeep Singla.

“The company suspected something fishy was happening and complained to us, and during investigations we found this was an organised ring,” he told AFP.

He said the drivers were authorised to carry water- a byproduct in oil exploration- from exploration sites for dumping but some of the tankers were filled with crude instead.
The stolen oil was used in road construction and diesel production, police said.