At least 13 people were arrested in a joint operation by southern India's Telangana and Andhra Pradesh police after an interstate fuel pilfering gang was busted on September 5.

With the help of Controller of Legal Metrology of the two states, 11 fuel stations in Telangana and 22 in Andhra Pradesh were seized.

The gang was helping gas station owners earn huge margins by delivering a lesser quantity of fuel than what was being displayed on the filling machines.

Cops learnt that for every 1000ml of fuel the consumers paid for, they would suffer a loss of at least 20ml.

This was being done by installing integrated chips (ICs) designed to manipulate the fuel dispensers.

Visuals show the seized chips that placed inside the filling machines.

From the accused, police seized 14 ICs (Integrated Circuit), eight displays, three GBR cables, one motherboard, one Hyundai i20 car.

Cyberabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed the arrest of four gang members and nine petrol pump owners from across Telangana. With the help of inputs shared by Telangana Police, Andhra Pradesh Police nabbed 19 fuel pump owners. Seven others, including the two suppliers of ICs, are absconding.