10 arrested for illegal LPG trade in Hyderabad, 414 cylinders seized

In a crackdown on the illegal sale of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), city police arrested ten individuals for allegedly supplying commercial gas cylinders at inflated prices, officials said on Monday.

Acting on specific intelligence, the Commissioner’s Task Force carried out coordinated operations leading to the arrests. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Task Force) Vaibhav Raghunath Gaikwad, the accused were engaged in unauthorised distribution of LPG cylinders to customers, exploiting demand by charging rates higher than those permitted under regulations.

Investigations revealed that the prime accused was operating a gas agency and had been illegally storing large quantities of cylinders in the upscale Banjara Hills area. The stockpiling and distribution activities were carried out with the assistance of labourers, in violation of established safety and licensing norms.

Authorities said the operation not only breached regulatory guidelines but also posed significant public safety risks due to improper storage and handling of the cylinders.

During the raids, police seized a total of 414 cylinders, including 213 filled and 201 empty units. Additionally, 11 vehicles used in the transportation and distribution of the cylinders were confiscated.

Police have initiated further investigation to determine the scale of the network and identify any additional individuals involved in the trade.