Dubai petrol station staff sacking exposes major illegal fuel racket

Dubai Police are closely monitoring petrol station salesmen as it is alleged some of them may be hand-in-glove with crime syndicates for illegal supply of fuel.

Emirates24|7 can reveal that several employees from three locations of the Enoc/Eppco petrol pumps have been either terminated or are facing investigation for allegedly accepting bribes and illegally selling petrol to some 'dubious' customers.

In fact, last year police seized several diesel smuggling trucks and arrested their operators.

“Some salesmen working for Enoc and Eppco have been terminated for selling petrol to African customers who come late at night or early morning in covered trucks filled with drums.

"Sales boys who fill these hidden drums are paid Dh100 to Dh1,000 or even more, which is almost their as much as a month's salary," said an Enoc source familiar with the fraud.

"Dubai Police is investigating the modus operandi of African gangs buying fuel in a huge quantities.

"The petrol station employees are not supposed to sell petrol in drums, other than the five-gallon cans sold at convenient stores. To get petrol on the sly, the gangs come early in the morning or late at night when there are no supervisors. It is a win-win situation for both  parties, as the poorly paid petrol station employees get a good amount as bribe,” the source said.

"I know petrol station employees who have made big money from such deals and many of them have resigned now, either fearing a crackdown or because they cannot continue to make illicit money.

"These customers roam around all petrol stations and the vulnerable ones keen to make a quick buck fall in their trap. Two Filippino staff in a petrol station near the Dubai Airport have been terminated," said sources in Enoc.

An official source from Dubai Police refused to comment on such activity in the emirate.

However, the source added that it is for the Department of Economy and the concerned oil marketing company to investigate.

“If employees of oil companies make serious mistakes like this, the companies should take action - including terminating them.

"Sometimes, petrol is smuggled from neigbouring countries - especially Saudi Arabia, because it is relatively cheaper there - and sold in the UAE. It is the responsibility of Dubai Customs to control fuel smuggling,” the police source added.

A few months ago, several petrol station employees were dismissed, suspended and/or terminated for misusing customers' 'select fuel' cards and swiping more than the permitted levels.

Illicit diesel sales in Dubai has been mushrooming in the UAE as traders bring cheap fuel from Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.

Illegal diesel smuggling has been a growing problem for regulators in the region.

A recent report said Saudi Police caught several people smuggling diesel to the UAE through the western Red Sea port of Jeddah. Saudi Police was interrogating the smugglers who are believed to have smuggled the fuel to the UAE. Saudi Police had seized thousands of small bottles filled with diesel produced by Saudi Aramco.

In December 2010, 45 trucks filled with smuggled diesel from other Gulf countries was caught by Dubai Police.

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