Rio de Janeiro police dismantle fuel diversion scheme, arrest six

An integrated operation on Friday, March 3, in Duque de Caxias, Baixada Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, dismantled a large fuel‑theft network. Agents from Operation Foco, the Rio state security office (GSI‑RJ), the National Agency of Petroleum (ANP) and the Agricultural Crime Repression Division (Delfaz) seized 12,200 litres of gasoline, ethanol and diesel, confiscated R$ 22,750 in cash, and interdicted a warehouse used as an illicit “biqueira”.

Six people were arrested on the spot, and two fuel‑tank trucks linked to the scheme were located – one parked at the warehouse and another intercepted leaving the site. Investigators said the fraud began at distributors, with drivers removing about 20 litres from each tank compartment and selling the fuel at low prices for a fee of R$ 70 per 20 litres. The secretary of GSI‑RJ, Roberto Lizandro Leão, said: “Clandestine fuel stations cause losses to public coffers, foster unfair competition and pose safety risks to the population.” The operation aims to combat fuel‑related crimes, tax evasion and illegal market activities.