4,000 litres of oil stolen by puncturing pipeline, underground tanks found

A gang has stolen 4,292 litres of condensate by puncturing a national grid pipeline in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj over two days, storing the stolen oil in underground tanks.

The Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) has filed a case against several people, including a former union parishad member, in connection with the theft.

According to police and GTCL sources, the company's security personnel detected suspicious activity around 1:00am on 4 November near Ratanpur Doctor Bari, in the Uttar Noapara area beside the Dhaka-Sylhet highway.

They spotted five to six suspicious people near the pipeline. As security personnel approached, the suspects tried to flee. A subsequent inspection revealed that condensate was being siphoned through a hose connected to a puncture in the pipeline.

Dulal Mia, supervisor of GTCL's security personnel, said former union parishad member Islam Uddin was seen roaming near the spot and obstructing security staff from approaching it.

Police later recovered equipment allegedly used in the theft, including a six-inch clamp, a one-inch GI pipe and two ball valves.

Two large water tanks used to store the stolen condensate were also recovered from a pond and the surrounding area near Islam Uddin's house. Investigators additionally found two specially constructed underground storage chambers on his property.

GTCL Deputy General Manager (Security) for the Ashuganj region Md Monirul Islam alleged that an organised gang, including the former local government representative, had been involved in the theft for a long time.

GTCL Deputy Manager Md Zayed Hossain said 4,292 litres of condensate had been stolen over the past two days, causing an estimated financial loss of Tk276,920.

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The company's Sub-Assistant Engineer Md Shamim Hasan said the thieves used specialised equipment to extract condensate through the punctured pipeline and smuggle it to different locations. The operation posed serious risks to pipeline security and the environment, besides causing financial losses, he added.

Attempts to contact Islam by phone for comment were unsuccessful.

Madhabpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sohel Rana said police immediately visited the scene after receiving information about the incident.

A regular case was filed following a written complaint from GTCL, he said, adding that police had seized evidence and were continuing operations to arrest others involved in the theft.