Police bust fake fuel manufacturing unit in Malda, inter-state smuggling suspected

The police unmasked a major illegal fuel-manufacturing racket in Harishchandrapur, North Malda, operating near the Bengal-Bihar border. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement raided a factory in the Islampur area, leading to the arrest of a key mastermind named Sagar Rahman. Investigators recovered eight drums containing kerosene and white oil, alongside specialized chemicals used to replicate real petrol seamlessly.

Initial investigations revealed that the core raw materials, specifically white oil and unique chemical compounds, were being smuggled into Malda from neighboring Bihar. The perpetrators mixed these ingredients with locally sourced kerosene to mass-produce fake fuel that looks identical to genuine petrol. The synthetic fuel has flooded the markets of North Malda, and allegations suggest it has even infiltrated local petrol pumps.

The exposure of this long-running fraud ring has triggered widespread panic among local motorists and bikers, who fear severe engine damage and an increased risk of road accidents. The police have identified Sadiqul Islam and Mahtab as other key associates involved in the network. Intensive interrogations and further raids are currently underway to dismantle similar factories operating across the district.