STF bust diesel siphoning racket from vehicles on Central Expressway project

By Norman Palihawadane

The STF had taken into custody seven suspects for pilfering fuel from vehicles belonging to construction companies working on the Central Expressway, police headquarters sources said yesterday.

The raid was carried out at the Veyangoda Wandurawa Railway Station following a tip-off received by the STF commandos at the Gonahena Camp.

The suspects have stolen diesel and sold it to other people.

The suspects are residents of Pelawatta, Veyangoda, Kadawatha, Bandaragama, Dehiattakandiya and Matara. Five of the suspects are tipper truck drivers working in the expressway project.

Police have seized a tractor with a fuel tank and a fuel siphoning system during the raid. The STF also seized eight mobile phones and Rs. 42,000 from their possession.

The suspects are to be produced before the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court.