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🛒 تسوق الآنPublic Employee Detained for Trafficking Banned Pesticides in Benghazi
Public Employee Detained for Trafficking Banned Pesticides in Benghazi
Libya's Public Prosecutor orders arrest of plant protection official over illegal pesticide trade
The Libyan Public Prosecutor's Office ordered on Sunday the pre-trial detention of a public employee responsible for plant protection in Benghazi, on charges of trafficking banned agricultural pesticides, according to a statement by the Attorney General's Office.
The investigation, conducted under the jurisdiction of the Public Order Prosecution in Benghazi, revealed that the employee was involved in the illegal trade and storage of prohibited pesticides — substances known to pose serious risks to public health and the environment.
Investigation and Evidence
The Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that it had received intelligence reports regarding the illegal pesticide trade, prompting targeted inspections of storage facilities across Benghazi. The raids resulted in the seizure of large quantities of banned pesticides and established the employee's direct involvement in their commercial distribution.
Investigators determined that the suspect, who was officially entrusted with plant protection responsibilities, had exploited his public position to facilitate the trade. According to the Attorney General's Office, the employee was fully aware of the environmental and health hazards involved, making the violation particularly serious under Libyan anti-corruption and environmental protection laws.
Sources close to the investigation told Libya Press that the employee had been under surveillance for several weeks before the raid, as part of a broader intelligence operation targeting pesticide trafficking networks in eastern Libya.
Part of a Broader Nationwide Crackdown
Sunday's detention is the latest in a series of aggressive enforcement actions against the illegal pesticide trade. In recent weeks, authorities shut down 37 commercial establishments in Benghazi involved in the sale of banned pesticides and seized more than 11,000 containers of prohibited agricultural chemicals.
Similar operations have been carried out across the country. In Al-Khums, prosecutors ordered the detention of 12 individuals and closed 30 shops trading in banned substances. In Al-Bayda, 14 suspects were detained, while in the western mountain region between Gharyan and Nalut, authorities arrested eight individuals and closed 25 stores. The coordinated campaign reflects a nationwide push to eradicate the spread of hazardous agricultural chemicals.
Health and Environmental Risks
Banned pesticides — including organochlorines and other persistent organic pollutants — have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, neurological damage, and severe environmental degradation. Agricultural experts warn that the unregulated use of such chemicals in Libya's farming sector poses a direct threat to food safety, groundwater quality, and the health of agricultural workers.
The World Health Organization classifies many of these substances as "highly hazardous pesticides" requiring strict regulatory control. Libya's regulatory authorities have long banned the import and use of certain pesticide formulations, but enforcement has historically been inconsistent due to limited resources and porous borders.
Environmental activists in eastern Libya have repeatedly called for stronger monitoring of agricultural chemical imports, warning that the illegal trade undermines public health protections.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The Public Order Prosecution in Benghazi has ordered the employee's detention pending further investigation. The seized materials have been confiscated as evidence, and the investigation continues to identify all parties involved in the trafficking network.
The Attorney General's Office reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting violations of public office and combating the circulation of prohibited substances. Legal experts note that public employees convicted of abusing their official positions for illicit trade face severe penalties under Libyan law, including lengthy prison sentences and permanent disqualification from public service.
As the investigation continues, observers will be watching whether the crackdown extends to higher-level officials or uncovers larger smuggling networks operating across Libya's borders.
— Libya Press / Security Desk
