Panaji, March 14 (IANS): Goa Police Thursday said it has busted a multi-crore rupee furnace oil scam in which fuel from Hindustan Petroleum (HP)-operated depots was being stolen and taken to the Goa unit of the Madras Rubber Factory (MRF).
Superintendent of Police Crime Branch Kartik Kashyap told reporters at a press conference at the police headquarters here that 15 people have been arrested for stealing the furnace oil.
"We have seized furnace oil worth Rs.2.5 crore," he said.
He said the gang would stop HP-operated tankers carrying furnace oil and steal several litres from each them.
"The tanker drivers were part of the racket," Kashyap said.
When the raid was conducted, the furnace oil was being shipped from the HP warehouse to the MRF unit in Usgao.
Kashyap also did not rule out the involvement of Hindustan Petroleum officials in the scam. "We are investigating that part," he said.