Oil Offensive Launched In Chechnya

Law enforcement agencies have launched a hard-hitting offensive against the so-called "oil mafia" in Chechnya. Special sub-divisions have conducted over a dozen operations in the last two days alone. RIA Novosti learnt in the Grozny military commandant's office today that 70 tons of oil and oil products had been confiscated in the last 48 hours, while about 150 mini-refineries had been destroyed. Checks are also conducted on the republic's roads to expose drivers illegally transporting oil to neighboring regions. According to the law enforcement agencies' information, more than a thousand tons of oil were stolen every day in the beginning of this year. The oil-producing Grozneneftgaz association has reported that at present the indices measuring oil misappropriation had been brought down to a minimum.