SINGAPORE: Six Indonesians and two Filipinos have
been detained by police for allegedly stealing oil from a vessel
off the Tuas Petroleum Holding Anchorage.
The incident is said to have taken place in the
early hours on Friday.
Four of the eight men detained are workers onboard
the vessel - Shengtek - where oil was allegedly siphoned to a
smaller tugboat.
The managing director of Sentek Marine and Trading, Mr Pai Keng
Pheng, who owns the vessel said he's suspected all along that
thieves were stealing the oil.
It's believed not enough evidence could be gathered in the
past.
The company said they had reported similar incidents before and
recently increased its security with more patrols.
As a result the alleged thieves were caught red-handed.
Mr Pai said: "For the past three years, they've stolen too much oil
from us. In just two years, they stole about 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes.
When we realised our oil was disappearing, we notified the
authorities. But eventually we counted on our own effort to deal
with this."
The company estimates it has lost some S$6 million over the last
two years.
Police are investigating the case.
- CNA/ck