MACL: 19,000 litres of jet fuel was stolen

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has said that 19,000 litres of jet fuel was stolen from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) and it was done by a group of people with access to the fuel farm.

Speaking at a press conference held at INIA today, Managing Director of MACL, Adhil Moosa said that jet fuel was stolen from the fuel farm by company staff.

“We noticed this (stealing jet fuel with airport staff) because the records show jet fuel movement every day. So we know if something is happening out of the ordinary.” Adhil said.

He said that the jet fuel was stolen on 4 September and the theft was discovered the next day. And it was reported to the Police.

While a large quantity of jet fuel has been stolen Adhil said that it is not something that can be done with two people hence, a large number of people were involved.

“In the case, two airport staff has been taken into Police custody. But this something bigger than what two people can do. There are staff and others behind it.” Adhil said.

Jet fuel is based on unleaded kerosene or a naphtha-kerosene blend. From the fuel farms, it is first loaded onto a bowser. Adhil said that a fuel bowser was used to distribute to a boat and was taken out of the airport.

A litre of kerosene is MVR 10. And so the stolen jet fuel is an estimated MVR 190,000.