Security Forces Arrest Oil Smuggling Gang In Basra
Basra, May 27, (VOI) - Iraqi forces on Tuesday arrested a 4-person oil smuggling gang in Basra, a military source said.
“A force from the Iraqi army apprehended a 4-person oil smuggling gang in Abu al-Khaseeb district, 20 km south of Basra,” a source from Basra security command, who requested anonymity, told Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq - (VOI).
The source did not provide further details on whether any oil smuggling materials were seized in the operation.
Shatt al-Arab is the only water gateway into Iraq, and is shared with Iran. Blurred borders and palm tree farmlands rendered the water space a favorite location for smugglers.
Last March, smuggling operations decreased after the launch of a security plan dubbed as Saulat al-Fursan (Knights’ Assault) to crack down on gunmen and to stem the illegal smuggling operations in the oil-hub city.