Maritime border guards in the coastal regions of Balochistan have arrested 39 individuals and seized two heavy Sukhtbari vessels.
According to Kolbarnews, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the Border Guard Commander of Sistan and Balochistan reported the discovery of 58,000 liters of “smuggled” fuel, the confiscation of two large vessels valued at over 3.5 billion tomans (35 billion rials), and the arrest of 39 Sukhtbars.
The identities of the detained individuals have not yet been disclosed.
Commander Shojaei told state media that in line with efforts to combat smuggling of goods and fuel products, border forces, by intensifying control measures against traffickers, succeeded in seizing a significant amount of fuel during a decisive operation in the province’s maritime border areas.
He added that during this operation, officers arrested 39 people and seized two lenj vessels carrying approximately 58,000 liters of fuel. According to expert evaluations, the value of the seized fuel was estimated at 35.7 billion rials.
Sukhtbari considered one of the unconventional and dangerous occupations that many Baloch people in Balochistan are forced to engage in due to the lack of suitable and stable employment opportunities. Accidents, vehicle overturns, and direct shootings by military and security forces are some of the dangers that threaten the lives of Sukhtbars. According to reports by Baloch activists, in 2024, at least 240 Baloch Sukhtbars lost their lives due to shootings by military forces, traffic accidents, and vehicle fires, while 135 others were injured in these incidents, 19 of whom were children.
