Oil Theft Saga Expands as More Charges Slap Singapore Men
On the morning of January 15, 2018, the courts in Singapore decided to press the final nails into a case that’s been a hot spot since August – a big oil heist at Shell’s flagship refinery on Pulau Bukom. The drama? Nine local men got slapped with fresh accusations, but the story keeps unraveling.
Who’s in the Lineup?
- Eight of the nine suspects: former employees of Shell Singapore.
- Two extra suspects: Vietnamese nationals, their court appearance is slated for Tuesday.
- Three boost‑up charges: men connected to Sentek Marine & Trading PTM – one of the biggest marine fuel suppliers in the island nation.
So far, the police dragged in a total of 20 people – 17 caught last week, 3 this weekend, 9 more in the latest round. Six others were arrested but haven’t hit the docket yet. The Public Prosecutor, Stephanie Chew, kept mum on the remaining six.
The Heist: A Quick Recap
Back in August 2017, the Shell team (yes, the same folks who put the sandbags in) alerted authorities that someone had slipped a huge bucket of oil through a seam at Pulau Bukom. The cops answered with multi‑agency raids that pinched off the money (in the millions) and a tiny tanker that was being used to ferry the stolen slick.
“Babe, we’re talking about a continent of oily mist” – experts in illicit fuel trading say Southeast Asia is a paradise for smugglers, with stolen fuel draining into local trucks or makeshift harbor tanks and then disappearing into the global market.
Why It’s a National Buzz
Last month, another Singapore giant – Keppel Corporation – stitched up a $422 million settlement after it was caught bribing Brazilian officials. This oil‑theft case continues to grip the headlines, proving that even in our Pacific paradise, the ‘get-rich-quick’ dreams can get a little poisonous.
Stay tuned: Singapore’s fight against oil crime is still in the fast lane, and the courts are playing referee, ready to add more froth on the cases. If you think life’s a beach, it just got a whole lot wetter.
