Some 4,079 minutes of seizure of smuggled goods were recorded by the sub-committee to fight against smuggling in 2012, up 330% compared to 2011 and 9% compared to 2010, according to a statement issued after the evaluation meeting of the National Committee for Price Control.
The value of seized goods rose, according to a Prime Ministry statement, to 168 million dinars in 2012, against 51 million dinars in 2011, posting an increase of 117 million dinars.
As to the main smuggling activities recorded by the country at its western borders with Algeria and Libya to the south, they involve livestock, oil, alcohol and iron for construction.
Efforts made by the units of the National Guard, National Army and border Guard through joint patrols to fight against all forms of smuggling, including those targeting sheep were also at the center of the evaluation meeting.
Emphasis was placed on the development of organized smuggling networks and their use of developed transportation techniques.
Members of the committee discussed, according to the press release, the attacks against facilities and premises of customs officers. Thus, during the period from January 2011 to October 2012, 140 attacks against customs officers and premises were recorded.
