TEHRAN, Jul 3 (NNN-IRNA) – Iran has detained 66 suspects for attempting to smuggle 532 million litres of diesel, in the south-eastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, semi-official Fars news agency reported.
The forces of Iran’s Intelligence, Ministry and the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, which made the arrests, also seized the fuel, according to the report.
According to Fars, the suspects were members of eight fuel smuggling networks that remain active in south-eastern Iran. They were accused of “causing disruption in fuel distribution among power plants, industrial units and fishing vessels” in Sistan and Baluchestan province, and have been handed over to the judicial authorities.
The report estimated the value of the seized fuel at 340 million U.S. dollars.
Fuel smuggling is a lucrative business in Iran, due to government subsidies on fuel costs.– NNN-IRNA
