Surat - In a major breakthrough, authorities in Surat have exposed a large-scale scam involving the illegal extraction and resale of gas from domestic cylinders. The Olpad police, in collaboration with the Local Crime Branch (LCB), conducted a raid on Pinky Gas Agency in Olpad village, leading to the arrest of four individuals, while eight others remain wanted in connection with the illicit operation. Goods valued at Rs 28 lakh have been confiscated.
The investigation revealed that Pinky Gas Refilling Agency, based in Masma village, was at the center of the largest gas refilling scam in the state of Gujarat. The agency, owned by Shantilal Patel, allegedly engaged in extracting gas from 16 kg cylinders and clandestinely filling smaller bottles for resale.
During the early morning raid, law enforcement officials discovered that the gas agency employees were pilfering gas from domestic cylinders, filling smaller bottles with one and a half to two kilograms of stolen gas per container.
The arrested individuals include Mahipal Magalaram Khichash, Manaram Bhadulal Parmar, Sunil Bhagirathram Barad, and Surendra alias Pintu Netaram Dara. They are currently in police custody, facing charges related to the illicit gas operation.
The wanted suspects, identified as Jaishreeben R. (owner of Pinky Gas Agency), Manoj Bhai R. Gambit (agency owner), Pareshbhai Shantilal Patel (warehouse manager), Omprakash Gabbarram Dara (tempo driver), Vijaybhai Bodiya (tempo driver), Shivprakash Fair (tempo driver), Mangilal Siak (tempo driver), and Prakashbhai (warehouse keeper), are being actively pursued by law enforcement.
The gas scam, orchestrated by Shantilal Patel over the course of seven months, involved the illegal hiring of individuals to carry out the covert gas extraction and resale operation. The authorities are committed to bringing all individuals involved to justice and dismantling the entire network behind this audacious criminal enterprise.
