16 arrested for running unlicensed gas business (2)

Police raided the ring in the early morning on October 30. They confiscated 360 gas cylinders, two trucks, seven vans and more than 10 scooters, bicycles and pedicabs.

The primary danger of the illicit LPG trade lies in the quality of the cylinders, said an officer surnamed Feng with the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Most cylinders used by unlicensed sellers do not comply with safety standards, according to the Shanghai Municipal Gas Management Office.

Substandard cylinders can suffer from loose valves or rusted surfaces, which could lead to an explosion if the cylinder is involved in a collision or caught in a fire, Feng said.

Shanghai Liquid Petroleum Gas Corp advised consumers to buy LPG from licensed dealers and ask for an invoice in case something goes wrong, the company employee said.

Police are now looking into the unlicensed business's suppliers, Feng said.