Eight men have been arrested for their suspected involvement in an illegal transaction of marine gas oil, said the Singapore police force on Thursday (Aug 13).
Officers from the Police Coast Guard arrested eight men, aged between 25 and 54, from one Singapore-registered tugboat.
Police Coast Guard officers conducted on August 13 at about 1.05 am a check on the tugboat in the waters off Tuas and discovered that eight crew members were possibly involved in the illegal transaction of marine gas oil.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the crew members of the tugboats allegedly misappropriated marine gas oil valued at about $10,570, without their company’s knowledge.
The authorities stated that the marine gas oil was sold illegally for their personal financial gain.
“The eight crew members will be charged in court on August 14, 2026, with the offence of theft by servant of property in possession of master under section 381 of the penal code 1871,” the police said in a news release.
If convicted, the offence carries an imprisonment term, which may extend to 7 years and a fine.
The police said they take a serious view of illegal transactions of marine gas oil in Singapore waters.
They added that enforcement and security checks would continue to prevent, deter and detect such illicit activities in Singapore waters.
