Azerbaijan, Baku, May 21/ Trend F.Milad/
The Iranian parliament (Majlis) has announced that some $19 billion worth of goods are smuggled into the country annually, but only 0.3 per cent of the goods are seized.
According to the Majlis website, the value of smuggled goods is estimated to be $15-$19 billion. The seized portion of the smuggled goods mainly includes minor items. This is while the smugglers' ringleaders are carrying out illegal activities in marginal safety.
The seized smuggled goods were mainly fuels, textiles and clothing, alcoholic beverages and foodstuff, according to the website.
The commander of the National Border Police said on April 16 that the police plan to crack down on the smuggling of goods into the country in the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 20), which has been named the year of national production.
Brigadier General Hossein Zolfaqari also said that the border police plan to step up efforts to improve the security of border areas this year.