Wednesday, 28 May 2008

Smuggling prompts petrol supply cut

(28-05-2008)

TAY NINH — With the smuggling of petrol out of the country becoming rampant in Tay Ninh, the province’s Department of Industry and Trade has instructed oil enterprises to limit monthly supplies to retailers in border communes to 150,000 litres.

If a retailer required more than 150,000 litres, the department said it would survey the actual need before supplying enough stocks.

Nguyen Hong Khanh, the department’s deputy director, said some retailers bought 400,000 – 500,000 litres per month, much above the actual need.

On average, 10,000 –15,000 litres are smuggled into Cambodia through Kien Giang Province every day. However, three to four times the quantity is sold by fishermen to foreign vessels at sea.

The latter activity mostly happens off Tien Hai village and north of Phu Quoc Island.

Local authorities are unable to prevent it because it happens mostly at night and the maritime police force is too small and does not have enough vessels.

— VNS

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