Libyan security forces have foiled a major fuel smuggling attempt along the Libya–Chad border, intercepting several trucks loaded with large quantities of petrol in the country’s south-east.
According to an official statement issued by the security authority’s media office, patrol units operating in the desert region seized the vehicles as they attempted to cross into Chadian territory. Each truck was reportedly carrying around 150 barrels of petrol, in what officials described as a criminal effort to drain state resources and undermine the national economy.
The operation was carried out under harsh desert conditions, with officers conducting surveillance and field missions despite extreme temperatures and the challenges of the holy month of Ramadan. Authorities said the success of the mission reflected the vigilance and readiness of border patrols tasked with safeguarding Libya’s national security.
Fuel smuggling remains a persistent issue in Libya, where subsidised fuel prices create incentives for cross-border trafficking. Smuggled fuel is often sold at significantly higher prices in neighbouring countries, generating profits for organised criminal networks while causing losses to the Libyan state.
Security officials stressed that the country’s borders are not open spaces to be exploited and warned that patrols will continue to monitor desert routes and crack down on illegal activities. They reiterated that protecting Libya’s wealth and preventing the illicit outflow of fuel are central to maintaining economic stability and reinforcing sovereignty.
The statement described the interception as a “qualitative operation” that sends a clear message to smuggling networks operating along the southern frontier. Investigations are under way to identify those involved and determine the full scope of the attempted operation.
Authorities affirmed that security forces will remain deployed across border areas, intensifying efforts to combat smuggling and organised crime while strengthening control over key transit routes in the south.
