Hoarding gas station owners receive warning

The 15 people whose gas stations had been shut down by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism after they were caught hoarding fuel have reportedly been let off with a warning. The gas station owners whose businesses are located in Paramaribo reportedly were given a warning for hoarding fuel after the new fuel prices had been announced, allegedly intending to sell it for the higher price. Sources told Times of Suriname that the warning has been accepted by the gas station owners. The warning reportedly includes an agreement, saying that the perpetrators will be put to justice in accordance with the law, if another violation occurs. Investigations into the matter reportedly showed that the gas station owners immediately stopped selling fuel as soon as the new prices were announced. When ministry representatives were informed about the fact that the gas stations were closed, the gas station owners reportedly came up with several excuses. Some of them just said that their keys were missing while others reportedly stated that they had electrical problems with their fuel dispensers. Officials announced severe measures against gas station owners in case it would have turned out that they had committed fraud.

The ministry reportedly confiscated over 100,000 liters of fuel from the 15 gas stations owners. According to information given to Times of Suriname, there were mitigating circumstances which lead the ministry to the decision to only issue a warning to the perpetrators this time.