Fuel Smuggling Ring Busted in Cochabamba

Fuel Smuggling Ring Busted in Cochabamba: Bolivian Authorities Seize Hundreds of Liters of Gasoline and Diesel in Tarata Operation Cochabamba, Bolivia – In a joint operation between the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) and the Bolivian Armed Forces, a significant fuel smuggling operation was disrupted near Tarata, Cochabamba, on May 29, 2025. Authorities seized a large quantity of gasoline and diesel hidden in numerous containers and a hidden tank in a vehicle. "We are showing the public the results of this operation," stated a reporter from Bolivia TV, who was present at the scene. "These containers were being transported illegally to Valle Alto." The reporter also highlighted the discovery of a vehicle with a hidden second fuel tank, further evidence of the smuggling operation. The operation underscores the Bolivian government's commitment to combatting illicit fuel trafficking, a persistent problem impacting the nation's economy and energy security. The successful seizure demonstrates the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in tackling this challenge.