Activist Omar Al-Sweihli stated on his official Facebook page:
“A clean trade in a polluted market. I was not aware of the nature of work in ports and border crossings in the eastern region, nor how customs officers operate there. I am a trader from Tripoli, and all my business passes through the western region. But fate led a shipment to me when the vessel carrying it suffered damage that forced it to unload its cargo at the nearest port, which was the port of Derna. I suddenly found myself in confusion, not knowing anyone there or the procedures.”
He added:
“I contacted a friend in Misrata who is familiar with trade matters and its networks in those areas, and I asked him to direct me to someone who could complete the customs procedures. He quickly gave me the number of a well-known and influential customs officer there, assuring me: ‘This man will make everything easy for you.’”
He continued:
“I arrived at my destination and met the man, handing him the documents to begin procedures. My shipment was simple—just one container—with legal papers and fully compliant contents.”
He further stated:
“I paid the customs fees, port charges, shipping company dues, and the required guarantees. The process moved extremely quickly and smoothly under this customs officer’s handling. He replaced the shipping company’s seal with the Libyan customs seal, and the container became ready for release.”
He went on:
“After everything was completed and my container left the customs yard, I wanted to reward him for his effort, so I gave him 5,000 Libyan dinars as a ‘tip’ for his work. He looked at the money, raised his eyebrows in anger, and said sharply:
‘What is this?’
I replied simply: ‘Your fee… this is what goodwill offers for your service.’
He gave me a harsh look and said dismissively:
‘I do not accept this… this amount is trivial! I provided you with a service you could not have completed on your own.’”
He continued:
“I was surprised by his reaction and said confidently:
‘My goods do not justify what you are implying. If you want, open the container now and inspect it piece by piece. My work is clean, and I have nothing to hide or violate the law.’”
“At that moment, the man dropped his harsh tone, and his expression turned into a mix of sarcasm and mockery. He took the 5,000 dinars from my hand, waved his other hand, and said:
‘By God… don’t ever bring me your clean cargo again! Such deals are not profitable for me. Do not come to me except with high-value cases worth at least 50,000. We are five people sharing this “deal,” and if each of us does not get at least 10,000 dinars, then it is not a worthwhile job!’ He then smiled mockingly and added while bidding me farewell:
‘Safe travels… and tell your friend who sent you: by God, don’t ever send me clean paperwork again.’”
Al-Sweihli concluded:
“I recall this story now from the past, after the Director of the Media Office of the Libyan Customs Authority announced that the quantities of banned pesticides circulating in the market exceed the volume of officially imported shipments.”
