Nationwide Crackdown on Fuel Hoarding

A coordinated nationwide drive against illegal fuel storage, distribution irregularities and price manipulation has led to the seizure of more than 20,000 litres of petroleum products across 11 districts, alongside multiple arrests, fines, and penalties imposed by mobile courts and law enforcement agencies.

Authorities confirmed that eight individuals were sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment and financial penalties, while four business entities were fined for violating fuel distribution regulations. Officials stated that such operations would continue in the public interest and urged citizens to report any suspicious stockpiling or market irregularities to the administration.

Summary of Major Seizures and Enforcement Actions

Regional Operations and Key Findings

In Dhaka’s Agargaon area, a mobile court conducted by RAB-2 seized 296 litres of octane and diesel from two commercial outlets operating without proper compliance. Both establishments were fined and issued formal warnings, with officials stressing stricter monitoring in the capital.

In Narsingdi’s Madhabdi, intelligence-led raids uncovered large-scale hoarding in two shops at Panchdona Bazar, where nearly 2,000 litres of mixed fuel types were stored illegally, raising concerns over artificial supply shortages.

A major seizure was recorded in Patuakhali’s Kalapara, where authorities recovered 6,200 litres of petrol and diesel stored aboard a moored trawler on the Andharmanik River. A fuel station was fined for irregular sales practices linked to the consignment.

In Noakhali’s Hatiya, police arrested two individuals following the recovery of 1,330 litres of stolen diesel from multiple locations within the municipality area.

In Pirojpur’s Bhandaria and Nesarabad, combined operations uncovered more than 6,000 litres of diesel hidden in warehouses and residential compounds, with multiple individuals penalised under mobile court proceedings.

Elsewhere, Faridpur, Naogaon, Manikganj, Keraniganj, and Dhaka’s suburban zones reported smaller but significant seizures and fines related to unauthorised storage, illegal transport, and overpricing of petroleum products.

Government Stance

Authorities reiterated that the crackdown forms part of an ongoing effort to stabilise the fuel supply chain, prevent artificial crises, and ensure fair market pricing. They further emphasised that intelligence-led monitoring and inter-agency coordination will continue across all districts in the coming weeks.