As part of the ongoing crackdown on fuel smugglers and stockpilers in Lebanon, security forces have confiscated over half a million liters of fuel.
On 24 and 25 August, the Internal Security Forces (ISF) Information Branch uncovered quantities of fuel stored with the intent of selling them on the black market, the ISF said in a statement on Thursday.
The said quantities were located in several areas within the governorates of South Lebanon, Beqaa, and Mount Lebanon.
484,345 liters of diesel fuel were confiscated from these locations and distributed at the official exchange rate to hospitals, mills, nursing homes, and bakeries that had been closed due to the lack of diesel fuel, all within the same governorates.
Municipalities that supervise artesian wells and the work of private generators also received a share of the confiscated fuel, the ISF said.
Additionally, after inspecting gas stations, seven stations were forced to sell 30,650 liters of diesel fuel and 34,300 liters of gasoline to people, at the official exchange rate.
The ISF also pursued networks of gasoline “gallon sellers” in the black market, detaining two individuals in Sidon and confiscating 454 liters, 50 9-liter gallons, and a 4.5-liter gallon.
