Omani government told to tackle fuel smuggling

A policy change towards stricter regulation and penalties in Oman is necessary if the government is to discourage diesel and petrol smuggling through sea and land borders, lawmakers have said.

Fuel smuggling from Oman to neighbouring countries has been an unsolved issue for a while now, and with the United Arab Emirates´ (UAE) recent deregulation of fuel prices illegal transportation is set to increase.

Omani authorities have countered 20 attempts of fuel smuggling through border posts in recent days, reports Gulf News.

Humaid Al Nasri, a member of the elected Shura Council, told the news agency illegal operations were expected to increase due to the neighbouring UAE´s rising fuel prices. “Petrol and diesel smugglers, particularly trailer drivers, will make a huge profit from smuggling petrol on a daily basis,” he said.

Legislators believe that to curb fuel smuggling, gas stations in the proximity to UAE´s border should undergo stricter inspections, with harsher penalties imposed if needed.

Those filling stations located near the border have already experienced a huge increase in sales – 15% this week alone, due to UAE drivers crossing the border to refuel their vehicles.