Eighteen men have been arrested for their suspected involvement in an illegal transaction of marine gas oil, said the Singapore police force on Wednesday (Feb 11).

Officers from the Police Coast Guard arrested 18 crew members, aged between 21 and 45, from two foreign-registered tugboats and one Singapore-registered tugboat in the sea off Pandan, Singapore at about 12.45am on February 11.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the crew members allegedly misappropriated marine gas oil valued at about S$13,670 “without their company’s knowledge,” the police said in its news release.

The authorities stated that the marine gas oil was allegedly intended to be sold illegally for their personal financial gain.

“The 18 men will be charged in court on February 12, 2026, with the offence of criminal breach of trust by employees under section 408(1) of the penal code 1871,” the statement of the police reads.

If convicted, the offence carries an imprisonment term, which may extend to 15 years and a fine.

The police said they take a serious view of illegal transactions of marine gas oil in Singapore waters.

They added that enforcement and security checks would continue in order to prevent, deter and detect such illicit activities in Singapore waters.