Smuggled fuel creates unfair competition for Italian fuel retailers

Smuggled diesel, often adulterated with water, is creating unfair competition to Italian fuel retailers and also damaging vehicle engines so police are asking drivers for help in detecting any illegal situation, according to information recently distributed by the Autonomous Federation of Fuel Retailers of Italy also known as FAIB for its Italian acronym.

The smuggled fuels “hurt consumers and create illegal competition problems to honest fuel distributors”, said Italian police colonel Giuseppe Verrochi, according to information distributed recently by the Federazione Autonoma Italiana Benzinai.

Diesel is the most often adulterated fuel because it can be easily mixed with water and vehicle engines may not immediately show problems, the official said. However, in time, the engines will be damaged, he added.

Authorities in Caserta have seized as part of their control efforts some 111,500 liters of smuggled diesel and have already arrested 10 people.

The chapter for the southern region of Campania, which is home to Naples, “has put in place a communication initiative for client support in points of sale”, according to information released by the federation regarding this situation.

The diesel adulterated with water, or with toluene in some cases, appears to be sourced from Eastern Europe and shipped to the region of Campania from where it is distributed to other regions of Italy in the black market.

The police is advising drivers to be alert for extremely dark fumes or any shaking of the engine immediately following a refuelling as it could indicate potential adulteration which should be reported to a special number that has been made available.

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