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March 29, 2007
Iran TV: Fuel Smuggling Ship Seized in Persian Gulf
Broadcast 29 March on Iranian state satellite TV (IRINN)
All governments have methods in place for managing all or parts of the economy. When enterprising people try to exploit the artificial price differences between the managed environment and the rest of the world, they are called smugglers. Here's a report on the disruption in Iran of an elaborate operation designed to make some money on Iran's subsidized gasoil.
The Islamic Republic Police Force (NAJA) reported the seizure of a ship bearing smuggled fuel in the waters of the Persian Gulf.
Commander Jafari said this ship was carrying 380 tons of smuggled gasoil valued at 152 million tomans ($164,000). He said the ship's identity is unknown but 10 foreigners and a number of Iranians were arrested and turned over to the judicial authorities.
He added that based on the documents and evidence, to date this ship this ship has smuggled 15,000 tons of gasoil valued at 6 billion tomans ($6,491,278).
The police force intelligence chief said no arrangements have been made to deliver fuel at international prices to ships in need of foreign fuel and this difference in price has driven Persian Gulf shippers to fuel smuggling.
During the New Year holidays [21-26 March] this is the second ship seized in the waters of the Persian Gulf.
Crossposted from Satellite News
Posted by John at March 29, 2007 11:09 PM
