The Delhi Police on Saturday arrested three persons in Mahipalpur area for allegedly illegally hoarding and supplying liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, The Indian Express reported.

The persons accused in the matter are Krishna (33), Dinesh Sahu (46) and Mithilesh (39), the police said.

Police officers were quoted as saying that 70 domestic LPG cylinders and four commercial cylinders were seized. Fifty-four of the 70 domestic cylinders were filled while 16 had been used. Three of the commercial cylinders were filled, The Times of India reported.

The three men had been involved in the illegal supply of LPG cylinders in the area for three years, the police alleged.

The police conducted a raid and arrested them following a tip-off. The accused men failed to show a valid licence for storing and selling the cylinders, The Indian Express quoted police officers as saying.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-West) Amit Goel told the newspaper that the raid was part of an ongoing crackdown on the illegal trade of essential commodities.

A first information report has been filed in the matter and an investigation is underway.

The Delhi Police last week seized about 700 LPG cylinders that were allegedly being hoarded in godowns and shops.

The action came amid energy supply disruptions caused by the conflict in West Asia.

Retaliating to attacks from the United States and Israel, Iran has effectively blocked the strategic Strait of Hormuz for most international commercial vessels. About 20% of global petroleum supply passes through the maritime chokepoint.

This has affected LPG supplies in India. The country imports about 60% of its LPG demand, most of it from Gulf countries. The disruption has led to several eateries being temporarily shut, and long queues outside LPG godowns and agencies.

The government has urged citizens not to believe in rumours and to refrain from panic buying. However, it has urged consumers who can shift from LPG to piped natural gas to do so immediately.