Libyan authorities have foiled a fuel smuggling attempt in the southern desert near Al-Kufra, intercepting two four-wheel-drive vehicles allegedly transporting petrol towards neighbouring countries.
In a statement published on Sunday via its official Facebook page, the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency said its Desert Patrols Department in Al-Kufra detected and thwarted the operation after the drivers attempted to flee the scene.
According to the statement, patrol units pursued and seized two vehicles within the southern desert perimeter before transferring them to the agency’s branch headquarters in Kufra. Legal procedures are now under way against those involved.
The Desert Patrols Administration confirmed it will continue proactive security operations aimed at securing Libya’s southern borders and desert routes. The operations form part of a broader security plan targeting smuggling networks and limiting the depletion of national resources, particularly subsidised fuel.
Fuel smuggling remains a persistent challenge in Libya, where price differentials between domestic subsidised fuel and higher regional market rates create incentives for illegal cross-border trade. Authorities say such activities drain public funds and undermine the national economy.
In a related incident last week, the Emergency Patrol affiliated with the Sirte Security Directorate intercepted a transport vehicle at the western entrance of Sirte carrying approximately 30,000 litres of diesel allegedly intended for smuggling.
The directorate said the vehicle lacked official permits or legal documentation authorising the transport of fuel, in violation of applicable laws. The driver was referred to the competent authorities, and the vehicle was impounded pending investigation.
Security agencies across Libya have intensified inspections along key highways and border crossings in recent months, seeking to curb fuel trafficking and strengthen oversight. Officials argue that tightening border controls and disrupting smuggling networks are essential steps to safeguarding public finances and reinforcing stability in vulnerable border regions.
