Source: Maxpress - SP - CITIES - 07/10/2009

The Secretariat of Finance of the State of São Paulo, through the operation “De Olho na Bomba”, closed this Wednesday (7/10) the Auto Posto Avilan Ltda, located at Flora avenue, in Jaguaribe in the city of Osasco, for finding of adulterated fuel sales. With this ban, the number of posts closed in 2009 rose to eleven in the cities served by the Regional Tax Office of Osasco. Since the beginning of the operation, in 2005, fifty stations had their state registration canceled in the DRT.

The tax authorities have the authority to cancel the effectiveness of the State Registration of these establishments in order to inhibit the sale of adulterated fuel and tax evasion. This permission is supported by Law 11.929, of April 12, 2005, regulated by Ordinances CAT 28, 32, 61 and 74/05.

Inspection consists of checking pumps, checking the establishment's registration data and collecting samples of the commercialized fuel, which are sent to the Technological Research Institute (IPT) for analysis. Fuel stations, distributors and carriers are subject to inspection.

In the event of an infraction, the stations are prevented from functioning and have sealed tanks containing fuel, in addition to their respective supply pumps. According to the law, the partners (individuals or legal entities) of the establishment are prevented from exercising the same line of activity for a period of five years, counting from the date of termination.

The new state legislation provides for the cancellation of the state registration of stations, distributors and transporters caught with fuel out of specifications, in addition to fines from the Treasury Department, for tax evasion, and Procon, for injury to the Consumer Protection Code, and opening police investigation, in which the owners respond to civil and criminal cases.

Operation Eye on the Bomb

The De Olho na Bomba operation aims to inspect fuel stations, distributors and transporters, preventing tax evasion and the sale of adulterated fuel. THE Secretary of Finance and Planning has the authority to cancel the effectiveness of the state registration of these establishments and seal supply pumps when the irregularity is found.

To report a station suspected of selling adulterated fuel, the taxpayer can call the Secretariat's Ombudsman at (11) 3243-3676 and (11) 3243-3683 or send an e-mail to ouvidoria@fazenda.sp.gov.br.