A security force in western Libya pledged to crack down on gangs smuggling fuel and weapons and trafficking illegal migrants. It said it will deploy more patrols to track them in the southwestern desert and combat their activities “that are undermining national security”. Libya suffers from the widespread smuggling of fuels, weapons, and illegal migrants by local gangs through its vast borders with neighboring countries. The Counter-Terrorism Force said on Sunday that its backup units continue to carry out their patrols at the orders of Defense Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah to confront the outlaws and bring them to justice. The 444th Brigade of the interim Government of National Unity (GNU) recently confiscated a fuel truck loaded with 40,000 liters that were “prepared to be smuggled abroad”. The Brigade further raided 26 locations in Qurayyat in coordination with various security bodies. After clashing with the outlaws, it arrested suspects wanted on drug and weapons trade, illegal migration and fuel smuggling charges. The security force added that its patrols will continue based on a security plan aimed at cracking down on the illegal operations. The Public Prosecution had remanded state employees in the Highway Service Company in custody for abetting fuel smugglers.