4 Arrested Trying to Steal 800 Litres of Jet Fuel From Aircraft at Wilson Airport

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have stopped a plan to steal jet fuel from an aircraft at Wilson Airport.

According to the DCI, officers from the Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) became suspicious of a white Mitsubishi Canter truck moving inside the airport. The vehicle appeared to be operating like normal airport traffic, but something did not seem right.

After stopping and searching the truck, the officers found four drums filled with jet fuel. Each drum had 200 litres, making a total of 800 litres. It is believed the fuel had been removed from an aircraft that was under maintenance at the airport.

Investigators say the plane was being repaired at the time, which may have made it easier for the suspects to carry out the illegal activity without being noticed.

In a statement, the DCI said the suspects were trying to hide their actions by blending in with normal airport operations. However, alert officers were able to detect the unusual movement and act quickly.

The detectives also found that the person claiming ownership of the fuel did not have a gate pass to access the restricted airport area. In addition, the vehicle used to transport the fuel did not have approval from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which is required when moving petroleum products.

Following the incident, four suspects were arrested. These include the vehicle owner, the driver, and two other individuals. They are currently in police custody as investigations continue before they are taken to court.

The truck and the four drums of fuel have been seized and will be used as evidence in the case.

Jet fuel theft is common because it is valuable and can be used in different ways. Some people mix it with diesel to increase quantity and make more profit. Others sell it for substance abuse, where it is sniffed as a drug, which is a growing concern in Kenya.