This archive report was first published on 30 November 2019.
On November 30, 2019, a multi-agency operation led by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) inspectors in Syokimau resulted in the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of 600 empty gas cylinders of different trademarks, as well as two vehicles.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that the suspect is in police custody and will be arraigned on Monday.
The raid comes after the adoption of new rules to regulate the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector, which includes a requirement for all LPG cylinder retailers, wholesalers, and transporters to hold licenses from the DCI for each business location.
The LPG cylinder exchange pool, which allowed consumers easy access to gas, was also disbanded to deal with illegal refilling.
The new rules aim to ensure user safety by placing the responsibility of making sure gas cylinders are safe on the LPG marketers, who will be answerable for accidents caused by cylinder gas leaks and other incidents, including payments to victims of accidents.
