Police in Russia’s Irkutsk region have drawn up four administrative cases against local residents suspected of trying to resell gasoline at inflated prices, according to the regional branch of the Interior Ministry.
The agency said the reports were filed under Article 14.1 of Russia’s administrative code, which covers conducting business activity without state registration or without a required permit.
According to police, in three cases fuel was offered for sale online, while in another case gasoline was allegedly being sold near the grounds of a gas station.
One of those involved, a 20-year-old local resident, posted an online ad offering gasoline for 250 rubles per liter. Officers arrived at the arranged meeting linked to that listing, the Interior Ministry said.
Police did not provide further details about the other three incidents.
A day earlier, Irkutsk region governor Igor Kobzev announced a heightened alert regime in the region. He said the measure was intended to prevent an emergency situation amid the fuel crisis.
Kobzev also recommended that the regional Interior Ministry and Rosgvardiya departments maintain public order in queues and stop attempts to sell fuel that, in his words, run contrary to the law.