Libyan oil allegedly smuggled from Sabratha to Malta, en route to Italy

Oil corruption in Libya is costing the government millions, Business Insider reports, adding that oil is being smuggled by ship from Sabratha, Libya, to “Malta and Sicily, en route to the Italian mainland”.

This was said to Italian investigative journalist Frecesca Mannocchi by police.

The report outlines the difficulties between rival armies and rival factions, and also sheds light on the difficulties of those controlling refineries, distribution and collection of revenue.

“This smuggled oil is making its way into Europe, and Libya authorities say it has cost the state $360 million so far, at a time when the country is producing only 715,000 barrels per day, down from its Gaddafi heydays of 1.6 million bpd,” Business Insider reports.

It continues to say that the issues go far beyond what the mainstream media tends to report on Libya, in terms of Tripoli or Benghazi forces trying to secure control of the entire country. It states that a number of “clan-based” militias are in fact “running their own smuggling operations, and their mafia reach is said to extend as far as the Coast Guard- and even into Europe”.

In the investigative report penned by Ms Mannocchi, it was found that the western coastal strip of Libya, which runs from Zawya to Sabratha, is a “smuggler’s paradise”.

It was also found, as reported by the Business Insider, that the local police and coast guard are also involved in the “lucrative oil smuggling activities”.

The full story may be found here: http://www.businessinsider.com/an-oil-heist-in-libyacost-the-government-hundredsof-millions-of-dollars-2017-2