Confiscated smuggled goods worth 166 million Syrian pounds

In the framework of cooperation between Syria and Lebanon and in implementation of the decisions taken by the Syrian- Lebanese higher council during its session which was held in Beirut by the beginning of this month, a joint meeting was held on Thursday chaired by the director general of the Syrian General Customs department Muhammad Ghatfan al-Refaee and the director general of the Lebanese customs Asaad Ghanem.

The meeting was attended by specialists representing the two sides and discussions dealt with the phenomenon of smuggling between the two states and means of fighting it both via land and sea. It was agreed to form specialized committees representing the two sides to coordinate, follow up and cooperate in exchanging information relating to smuggling.

In a "fraternal" atmosphere a program was laid to develop work and exchange visits among heads of customs centers in the two states in order to facilitate and accelerate the process of persons and commodity.

In another context, the customs groups was able in February to confiscate various commodities at a value of 351,865,109 Syrian pounds with a fine of 123,676,380 Syrian pounds and fees estimated at 18,534,021 Syrian pounds.

Observers see that the phenomenon of smuggling is lessening day after day because of the customs measures and its control of border areas used by smugglers.