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🛒 تسوق الآنLibya: Prosecution Orders Detention of Agriculture Ministry Engineer Over Banned Pesticides in Benghazi
Libya: Prosecution Orders Detention of Agriculture Ministry Engineer Over Banned Pesticides in Benghazi
Investigation Uncovers Banned Pesticide Residues in Farm Crops
The Libyan Public Prosecution has ordered the pretrial detention of an agricultural engineer employed by the Ministry of Agriculture on charges of preparing and using banned pesticides at a farm in Benghazi, the Prosecutor General's Office announced Sunday.
The case, investigated by the Public Order Prosecution in Benghazi, stems from the discovery of prohibited pesticide residues in crop samples taken from a farm under the engineer's supervision. The investigation established that the engineer had prepared quantities of these banned substances for agricultural use, directly violating Libyan environmental regulations and public health laws.
According to the official statement, the investigation was launched following routine monitoring that detected traces of banned chemicals in harvested crops, prompting an immediate inquiry into their origin and those responsible.
Broader Crackdown on Banned Agricultural Chemicals Intensifies
This arrest represents a significant escalation in the ongoing campaign by Libyan law enforcement against the illegal trade and use of banned pesticides — particularly those classified as carcinogenic. Over the past several days, the Prosecutor General's Office reported the seizure of thousands of containers of prohibited pesticides, the arrest of multiple suspects, and the closure of numerous commercial establishments selling these dangerous chemicals.
The campaign reflects growing concern among public health officials and environmental regulators regarding the widespread availability of hazardous agricultural chemicals in Libya's marketplace. Many of these substances have been linked to serious health conditions including cancer, neurological damage, and long-term environmental degradation affecting soil quality and water resources across agricultural regions.
Regulatory Gaps and Enforcement Challenges Remain
Specialists in agricultural regulation have long identified weak oversight and lack of accountability as the primary factors enabling the illegal pesticide trade in Libya. According to agricultural policy experts, the country's regulatory framework continues to suffer from limited inspection capacity, extensive smuggling routes, and penalties that remain insufficient to deter violators.
The Ministry of Agriculture has faced persistent criticism over its inability to control the distribution chain of agricultural chemicals. Many farmers report being unaware of the specific dangers posed by these pesticides, while others acknowledge the risks but cite the lack of affordable, safer alternatives as the reason they continue using banned substances.
Public Health Implications Demand Urgent Action
Banned pesticides — some prohibited in the European Union and the United States for decades — present grave risks to agricultural workers and consumers alike. Libyan healthcare professionals have repeatedly raised alarms about elevated rates of certain diseases suspected to be linked to prolonged exposure to toxic agricultural chemicals.
The presence of these hazardous substances in the food supply chain threatens not only domestic public health but also Libya's agricultural export potential, as international trading partners increasingly mandate strict compliance with global pesticide residue standards.
Legal Proceedings Expected to Expand
The detained engineer remains in pretrial custody as authorities continue gathering evidence. Legal experts anticipate that proceedings will broaden significantly as prosecutors work to identify the full network of suppliers and distributors responsible for introducing banned pesticides into the local market.
The Public Prosecution has affirmed its commitment to pursuing all individuals implicated in this illegal trade, signaling that additional arrests, asset seizures, and business closures are expected in the coming weeks. This coordinated enforcement represents one of the most substantial regulatory actions in Libya's agricultural sector in recent years.
— Libya Press / Security Desk
