Strict penalties await those involved in illegal petroleum products trade

Stringent penalties await those indulging in the illegal trade of petroleum products in Qatar, as stipulated by a draft law.

The Cabinet on Wednesday ordered that necessary measures be taken to issue the draft law that seeks to combat the smuggling and illegal trade of petroleum products, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

The Cabinet was earlier briefed on the recommendations of the Advisory Council with respect to the draft law.

Under the draft law, it is prohibited to bring petroleum products into the country or take them out without Qatar Petroleum's permission.

The draft legislation bans illegal trade, which includes the intentional sale of petroleum products to somebody who resells them without a licence, buying such products with the intention of reselling them without having a licence and obtaining a share of petroleum products that are distributed by licensed entities while submitting incorrect information or documents.

Such trading includes continuing to receive a share of petroleum products that are distributed by licensed entities after the end of the purpose by virtue of which the share was decided, using the granted share for purposes other than what it was set for and unlawfully deciding the right to a share of petroleum products or granting it to undeserving parties.

The draft law stipulates strict penalties for those found violating its provisions.

These include confiscation of petroleum products that are smuggled or illicitly traded, or payment of an equivalent amount if the products are not found, in cases of conviction.

The tools and materials used in the crime, along with the mode of transport, will also be confiscated.

The Cabinet had ratified the draft law in November last year and referred it to the Advisory Council, as reported in Gulf Times.

Then, in January this year, it was reported that the Advisory Council had reviewed the draft law and referred it to the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee for further study and a report.

Courtesy: gulf-times.com