Black oil worth R20,000 seized

Adulterated diesel, also referred to as black oil, worth Rs 20,000 was seized from a raid conducted in Kurla Scrap Mandala in Mankhurd on Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off, the Mankhurd police raided the spot in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

The police seized 12 drums each containing 200 litres of black oil collectively worth Rs 12,000. Also, half-filled 17 drums containing 100 litres of black oil each worth Rs 8,500 and empty drums worth Rs 3,900 were seized from the spot.

The owner of the mandala and the employees managed to flee before the police could nab them.

Pascal D’souza, senior police inspector of Mankhurd police station, said, “The raids were conducted by the Mankhurd police. We have seized the property from the spot. No arrests have been made in the case so far.”

“We are conducting inquiries to trace the owner and take strict action against him,” he added.

On Friday, the Vakola police had confiscated 423 barrels of black oil from Vakola Abdul Yusuf Anwarlal Compound. Also, 450 barrels of spurious diesel oil were seized from 11 godowns in Brahma Compound in Kurla.