Special inspectors from the Ministry of Industry & Commerce have detected a fraud of over RD$4 billion in the sales of adulterated fuels at the service stations. The discovery of the discrepancy is owed to the collaboration provided by US and Israeli technicians hired by the ministry to assist the Special Corps for Fuel Control. The investigators say the scam has been going on the past few months and that it is designed to fleece the consumer. Industry & Commerce Minister Sonia Guzman has promised to hold a press conference this week on the details of the discovery. Apparently, certain gas stations have been mixing gasolines of differing values in order to sell the adulterated fuels at premium and regular prices. Diesel fuel and even water has been allegedly added to the storage tanks that were supposed to hold gasoline only. Guzman divulged that such shady practices were being carried out all over the country, but did not mention any specific gasoline station. According to ministry calculations the fraud was producing additional earnings of RD$23 million per day.
Juan Ignacio Espaillat, of the Association of Gasoline Retailers (Anadegas) asked that the ministry produce proofs. He said that water in tanks is a natural occurrence in a tropical country due to condensation. He said the tanks are emptied every three to six months. He told the Listin Diario that the tanks are designed for this condensation and that the water and fuel does not mix.