Iran Probing Payment in Fuel Smuggling Case

The Iranian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance (MEAF) unit says it is investigating a controversial instant payment made by a convicted fuel smuggler to secure his release from custody. Head of MEAF’s financial intelligence unit said on Saturday that the investigation is already underway, following disclosures made earlier this week by the Iranian Economic Security Police (IESP).

Hadi Khani said the MEAF has requested all relevant information from the IESP about the case. It came after IESP chief commander Brigadier Hassan Rahimi said a convicted fuel smuggler, arrested after a year-long intelligence and enforcement operation, secured his release by transferring IRR 110 trillion (US$98.2 million) to judiciary accounts to pay a court-imposed fine.

Rahimi said the transfer was completed in less than two hours, after the convict had been asked to provide properties or assets as collateral. Iranian police chief Brigadier Ahmad Reza Radan also highlighted the case during a conference held on November 18 focused on national efforts to combat fuel smuggling.

“The judiciary recently imposed a fine of IRR 11 trillion (US$9.8 million) on a smuggling ring, and interestingly, the entire amount was paid within two hours. This shows the enormous and illegitimate profits these individuals have accumulated over the years,” Radan said.

Iran faces an acute fuel smuggling problem, which experts attribute to the country’s ultra-low gasoline and diesel prices. Estimates indicate that more than 30 million liters of fuel are smuggled out of Iran each day.

MEAF’s financial intelligence unit is the top Iranian government body responsible for investigating money laundering and terrorism financing. The unit has expanded its operations in recent years amid Iran’s efforts to align with the global anti-money laundering watchdog FATF. - Press TV