Police in Kumasi have busted a security supervisor alleged to be leader of a fuel stealing syndicate at the Kumasi Depot of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Company.

Stephen Nana Yaw Nketia was arrested Sunday dawn as he led a team to siphon 24 drums of petroleum products at the depot. Five other accomplices are on the run.

Stephen and four members of the gang work for Jidem Security Services, a private firm engaged five years ago to manage the security activities at the Kumasi BOST.

The fifth person is believed to be driver of the KIA truck used in Sunday’s operation.

Luv News sources indicate the oil-siphoning operation has been going on for some time and usually takes place at night on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The syndicate undertakes its nefarious activity by switching off the CCTV system at the depot.

According to sources, the suspects do not use the usual pumps for oil lifting, rather break into a secured valve under lock and key.

A tip-off from a man, who refused a 5,000 cedi bribe offer, led the Asokwa police to effect arrest.

District Police Commander, Superintendent Rev. Samuel Nyamekye Adane-Ameyaw, says the suspects had filled 18 of the 24 drums at the time of arrest.

“Because when they went in, they had locked up the gate, the policemen could not have easy access, so the rest who were doing the operation managed to escape narrowly from Police arrest,” he told Luv News.

The BOST facility in Kumasi holds a maximum capacity of 84 million barrels of petrol and diesel to serve the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and parts of the Western Regions.

The suspects would have lifted 6,000 liters of fuel if they had managed to fill-in all 24 drums.

Luv News sources say depot managers are often blamed for shortages in collation and tallying of sales figures.

Police investigations continue.