Eight foreign nationals charged over suspected illegal marine gas oil transactions

Charge sheets show that Fairus, Junaedi and Seeng were employed by Hiap Shing Shipping.

Sutrisno Bogimin, 61; Heriadi, 33; Mion Gosjen James, 54; Satria Mahardika, 24; and Suriyanto, 49, are accused of receiving the misappropriated MGO while on board a Tanzania-registered vessel within Singapore’s territorial waters.

On Oct 11, they were each handed a charge for dishonestly receiving stolen property.

Preliminary investigations so far have indicated that the offence took place at around 8pm on Oct 4, in the vicinity of the sea off Tuas.

Fairus, Junaedi and Seeng are accused of selling the misappropriated MGO to the crew members of the Tanzania-registered vessel.

The foreign vessel has been seized as part of the investigations.

All eight men will be held in remand for further investigations and return to court on Oct 17.

Those found guilty of criminal breach of trust by employees can be jailed for up to 15 years and fined. Those found guilty of dishonestly receiving stolen property can be jailed for up to five years, fined, or both.

In a statement on Oct 11, the police said they take a serious view on illegal transactions of MGO within Singapore’s territorial waters.

“The authorities will continue to conduct enforcement and security checks to prevent, deter and detect such illicit activities in Singapore waters,” said the police.