Smugglers of Algerian motor fuel towards Tunisia tell “Echorouk” about their dangerous peregrinations in the border zone
Algerian NAFTAL petrol station.
The phenomenon of Algerian motor fuel contraband towards Tunisia has taken disquieting proportions over the past few years with smugglers said to be rife in the border region.
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The smugglers, who operate illegally from the eastern city of Tébéssa and its surroundings, defy all the laws by taking enormous risks to pour large quantities of petrol into Tunisia in the hope of garnering the maximum financial spin- offs from their Tunisian customers.
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Reporters of the newspaper “Echorouk” met in the east of the country one of these “desperados” who related his dangerous and ceaceless peregrinations between the 2 sides of the Algerian-Tunisian border.
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This 30 – years old smuggler who has been operating over the past 13 years from the eastern exit of the city Tébéssa, frequently uses a “505” Peugeot vehicle for the clandestine transport of Algerian motor fuel towards Tunisia where it is sold at astronomical prices.
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He said that numerous vehicles belonging to local smugglers regularly use certain roads and paths situated in the far eastern municipality of Houidjabate to funnel this precious liquid to Tunisia where demand is ever – increasing despite the laws in force prohibiting these illicit practises.
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Youngsters, not more than 15 years of age, are used unsparingly and with no pangs of conscience by these hare-brained smugglers to make sure that the road is safe without the presence of border guards in the area in a bid to cross the border with their fuel stockpiles in all quietude and mostly in all impunity.
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Our reporters also learnt on the spot that this smuggler notoriously known in the region as “El Migh”, has recourse to other local smugglers who help him in the illegal funneling of huge quantities of fuel on board big vehicles on a regular basis on the 2 sides of the eastern border in exchange for tidy sums of money.
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