Seven groups have been busted by the Police Coast Guard (PCG) for their involvement in the illegal sales of marine gas oil since last year.

A total of 55 foreign crew members and three Singaporeans financers were arrested and cash amounting to over S$22,000 and six vessels were seized, said the police in a statement today (Sept 15).

On July 8 last year, a foreign-registered tugboat called Montana was caught by the PCG for the illegal sale of about 3,500 litres of marine gas oil. In that operation, 12 crew members and two Singaporean financers were arrested.

In a second case last December, another foreign-registered tugboat called Imanuel was involved in the illegal sale of about 1,500 litres of the gas oil and seven crew members were arrested. Both cases took place in the waters of Jurong River.

The 21 people arrested were jailed between four to eight weeks for offences including Criminal Breach of Trust and Dishonestly Receiving Stolen Property. Cash amounting to S$18,500, and both vessels were forfeited.

On May 21, a foreign-registered tugboat was caught for being involved in the illegal sale of 10,000 litres of marine gas oil at the sea off Penjuru. Eleven crew members were subsequently convicted for the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust by a Servant and jailed seven weeks while court proceedings to forfeit the vessel involved are ongoing.

“In these cases, tugboats have been modified with additional fuel tanks to facilitate the illegal sale of MGO. These tugboats are a fire hazard and pose a danger to other vessels in the area. PCG will continue to conduct enforcement operations and checks, as well as engage relevant stakeholders to clamp down on the illegal sales of MGO (marine gas oil),” said the police.