Acting on specific intelligence received by Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi, the Crime Branch conducted a nearly six-hour raid at an open plot opposite Hotel Navil Exotica in Dabolim yesterday.
During the operation, police inspected six fuel tankers and a tipper truck, where suspected combustible petroleum liquid was found stored. Representative samples were collected, sealed and preserved for forensic examination. All vehicles and sample exhibits were seized under a panchanama.
The raid was carried out in the presence of panch witnesses, forensic experts and officials from Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL).
According to the Crime Branch, preliminary inquiry revealed that the premises and vehicles were allegedly operated by Devendra Naik alias Raju Chawan of Sancoale. Police suspect the petroleum products were being diverted to the illegal black market. Authorities also said the illegal storage of combustible material posed a serious threat to residents in the surrounding area.
A case has been registered under Section 287 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 23 of the Petroleum Act, 1934, Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and Sections 8 and 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
