Kazakhstan cracks down on $1.96-million fuel theft at Shymkent refinery PHOTO

Authorities in Kazakhstan have detained a group involved in stealing fuel valued at 1 billion tenge (approximately $1.96 million) from the Shymkent Oil Refinery.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the group transported fuel via tankers, stored it at private facilities, and sold it through an illegal network, Caliber.Az reports via Kazakh media.

"Employees of an affiliated refinery company colluded with residents of Shymkent. The estimated turnover of this shadow operation exceeded 1 billion tenge [approximately $1.96 million]," the ministry said.

During searches, investigators seized over 17 tons of fuel, a large sum of money, pumping equipment, storage containers, and the tankers themselves.

 A case has been opened for theft on a particularly large scale, and authorities are investigating possible involvement of refinery employees, including potential smuggling activities.

By Jeyhun Aghazada