Algeria declares emergency to stop gas smuggling to Morocco

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal called in 4 ministers, security and customs officers to attend a joint ministerial meeting to discuss gas shortage in some provinces in high lands and middle Algeria.

This comes as long lines of people waiting to purchase gasoline were seen in a number of western and eastern provinces. This caused many accidents and clashes.

It is believed that the phenomenon is linked to gas smuggling which endangers national economy. Gas station workers help smugglers who have become “barons” and have control on specialized smuggling networks.

According to sources, Sellal received reports about gas shortage. He met with interior, justice and energy ministers along with security and customs officers.

The meeting came up with a number of preliminary measures to counter the phenomenon. Periodic meetings were decided and provincial commissions will be activated to fight smuggling.

The government also decided to ensure administrative and technical control over cars which have containers. People will not be allowed to sell gas in barrels and cans. Security check points and patrols will be stepped up on axes where smugglers are used to pass by.

The government ordered security forces and customs to exploit all available information and exchange data to stop gas smuggling from Algeria to Morocco and Tunisia.

According to the same sources, a working team was set up at the justice ministry in charge of evaluating the situation as part of the fight against smuggling.