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FREETOWN (AFP) — Sierra Leone has boosted patrols along its borders with
Liberia and Guinea to stop smugglers from taking food essentials such as rice
and palm oil out of the country, authorities said Wednesday.
"We are enforcing the ban on the illegal export of basic items such as rice
and palm oil," police spokesman Ibrahim Samura told AFP.
Samura added that both Guinea and Liberia already have bans on the export of
essential food items to prevent shortages in their own countries.
Sierra Leone banned the export of rice and palm oil earlier this year, but
policing the measure is proving difficult.
Despite the global rise in food prices, rice and palm oil are still cheaper
in Sierra Leone than in its West African neighbours. Many smugglers seek to
profit by selling the products illegally across the border.
Customs officer Daniel Coomber at the Gondama border crossing close to the
Liberian border said customs seized nearly 2,000 bags of rice and more than
7,000 five gallon drums of palm oil between January and February this year.
"These goods do not necessarily terminate in Liberian towns and villages but
would eventually find their way up north to Senegal and Mauritania. As far as we
know this has been a lucrative business involving a well planned entity," he
added.
Samura said that there are over 100 illegal border crossings and the
authorities have started intensive foot patrols to monitor them.
"Local unit commanders are now undertaking regular 24 hours armed border
patrols along crossing points and searching goods being taken out by traders,"
Samura said.
He added that several people had been arrested for attempted smuggling but
could not give a precise number. The border police also seized their goods which
will be sold to the public.
AFP:
Sierra Leone cracks down on food smuggling
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