Seven arrested in Naypyidaw as Myanmar regime cracks down on illegal fuel storage and sales

Sources close to the police in Naypyidaw told DVB that seven people were arrested and charged in Pyinmana Township under the Myanmar Petroleum and Petroleum Products Law from Sept. 12-15. Pyinmana Township is located 36 miles (57 km) east of the capital Naypyidaw. A source close to the Pyinmana police told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the seven were arrested after the police received information from the regime’s Petroleum Products Regulatory Department (PPRD). Five of the seven were arrested in Pyinmana on Saturday with the other two detained on Tuesday. All have been charged under Section 37 of the Myanmar Petroleum and Petroleum Products Law, which was enacted in 2017, It stipulates that anyone found guilty faces a minimum sentence of two years in prison, or a maximum fine of 10,000,000 MMK ($2,257 USD) or both. Any property related to the offense could also be confiscated under the law. Five people, including two fuel station owners, were arrested and 1,890 gallons (7,154 liters) of fuel was seized by police in Mandalay’s Madaya Township in April and May. The five were accused of illegal fuel storage and face charges under the same law used to prosecute the seven in Naypyidaw. One liter of 92-octane gasoline rose 3,210-3,350 MMK ($0.74-0.77 USD) with 95-octane gasoline 3,285-3,460 MMK ($0.76-0.80 USD) July 23-24, according to the regime’s PPRD. One liter of diesel rose 3,175-3,560 MMK ($0.73-0.82 USD) with premium diesel 3,895-4,315 MMK ($0.90-1.00 USD). The prices of 95-octane and premium diesel peaked at 4,945 MMK ($1.15 USD) and 7,755 MMK ($1.80 USD) per liter in late April.