Guardia di Finanza seizes 10 tons of adulterated fuel in Rome
Following a journalistic investigation, the Guardia di Finanza conducted inspections at refueling stations in Rome and its surrounding province, revealing widespread fuel adulteration. During the two-day operation, authorities seized over 10 tons of irregular fuel and issued more than 20,000 euros in fines.
According to Colonel Daniele Corradini, commander of the I Group Rome, approximately 20% of the inspected stations were found to be irregular. These violations included poor product quality, lack of price transparency, and discrepancies between the volume of product sold and the amount actually dispensed. Laboratory analysis by the Customs and Monopolies Agency confirmed that gasoline and diesel were being diluted with water or other substances to artificially increase volume.
Fabrizio Apruzzese, an official at the Rome laboratory, noted that authorities find one adulterated sample for every 10 to 15 tested. The phenomenon is reportedly growing; in the Lazio region, the Guardia di Finanza has seized over 165 tons of non-compliant fuel in 2026, representing a 350% increase compared to the previous year. The adulterated fuel has been linked to increased reports of engine damage in vehicles from local mechanics.
Entities: Adnkronos · Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli · Daniele Corradini · Davide Bordoni · Eastern Europe · Fabrizio Apruzzese · Francesco Boccia · Gianni Murano · Guardia di Finanza · Italian fuel market · Rome · Stefano Patuanelli
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 20% of the inspected stations were found to be irregular regarding product quality, price transparency, or volume accuracy. (Daniele Corradini, Commander of the I Group Rome of the Guardia di Finanza)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Adulteration involves mixing diesel with other products to increase volume or adding water to gasoline. (Guardia di Finanza)
- [● 3 SOURCES] On average, one adulterated sample is found for every 10 to 15 analyzed. (Fabrizio Apruzzese, Customs and Monopolies Agency)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In the Lazio region alone, over 165 tons of non-compliant fuel were seized in 2026, a 350% increase compared to 2025. (Guardia di Finanza)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Guardia di Finanza seized over 10 tons of irregular fuel during recent inspections in Rome and its province. (Guardia di Finanza)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Fines totaling over 20,000 euros were issued during the two-day operation. (Guardia di Finanza)