Pune Airport Fuel Theft Ring Dismantled: Pimpri Chinchwad Crime Branch Nabs Gang Red-Handed in Black Market Operation
Varad Bhatkhande
Talegaon, 8th March 2024: The Crime Branch of the Pimpri-Chinchwad police apprehended a gang involved in stealing jet fuel from a tanker en route from Mumbai to Pune airport. The illicit activities came to light during a black market operation near a hotel close to Somatane Phata Toll Booth, leading the police to intervene and apprehend five individuals red-handed on Wednesday (6th March).
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mangesh Sakharam Dabhade (42 years old, resident of Talegaon Dabhade), Elahi Saifan Faras (45 years old, resident of Dhanori), Anil Satairam Jaswal (28 years old, resident of Uttar Pradesh), Amol Balasaheb Garade (31 years old, resident of Pimpal Khunte, Maval), and Parashuram alias Sonya Dhondiba Gaikwad (36 years old, resident of Charholi Khurd).
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Doifode stated that the Crime Branch Unit 4 received intelligence about the illegal trade of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) extracted from tankers and sold in the Shantai Hotel area near the Somatne Phata Toll Plaza. Acting on this information, the police conducted a raid and apprehended Mangesh Dabhade, the property owner, who, in collaboration with tanker drivers Elahi and Anil, was caught draining jet fuel from the tanker with the assistance of Amol and Parashuram.
The arrested individuals were found in possession of 1540 liters of jet fuel, along with empty plastic cans, an iron tommy, and an iron bar used for measuring fuel, collectively valued at Rs 1 lakh 65 thousand 200. Mangesh Dabhade, one of the accused, has a criminal record with five cases under the Prohibition Act in the years 2008, 2016, and 2019, and an assault case in 2022.
Jet fuel-laden tankers make their way to Pune Airport from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai. During the fueling process, foam forms on the fuel’s surface, and the fuel level is measured in the tanker. Upon arrival at Pune airport, the foam reduces, indicating a lower fuel level. Exploiting this technical challenge, the accused discreetly drained 70 to 80 litres of fuel from tankers filled with thousands of litres, going unnoticed. The stolen fuel was then sold at a premium in the black market.
The success of this operation is credited to the guidance of Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey, Additional Police Commissioner Vasant Pardeshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Doifode, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Satish Mane. The operation itself was carried out by Senior Police Inspector Santosh Patil, Assistant Inspector Santosh Patil, Sub-Inspector Dhanraj Kirnale, Assistant Sub-Inspector Narayan Jadhav, Sanjay Gaware, Praveen Dale, Tushar Shete, Mohammad Ghaus Nadaf, Suresh Jaybhaye, Vasudev Munde, Prashant Said, Govind Chavan, Sukhdev Gawande.
