PARAGUANA, Venezuela, (Reuters) – Venezuelan authorities have arrested seven people for allegedly attempting to smuggle diesel, an industry source and a law enforcement source said yesterday, as the government seeks to clamp down on contraband of its highly subsidized fuel.
A tanker owned by state oil company PDVSA loaded 60,000 barrels of diesel fuel at the Cardon refinery despite having authorization to load only 10,000, according to a law enforcement official who asked not to be identified. Intelligence officers made the discovery in an inspection late on Monday night, according to a PDVSA employee who also asked not to be identified. Authorities believe the suspects intended to resell the fuel abroad, he said.
