APMA Supports Public Education Initiative to Combat Black Market Trade and Human Trafficking
Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association (APMA) last week joined United to Safeguard America from Illegal Trade (USA-IT), a public education initiative designed to provide local officials, law enforcement, and thought leaders with information and training programs to help tackle illegal trade and raise public awareness of the depth of the problem as well as the severe consequences inflicted on states and municipalities by black market profiteers.
The campaign will run across eight states facing critical illegal trade issues: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
“Arizona’s fuel industry recognizes the dangers of illegal trade and the importance of a united front in fighting back against dangerous crime enterprises. Businesses engaged in the distribution of wholesale fuel, retail fuel and lube oils across Arizona face the daily realities of retail theft, often at the hands of organized crime operations,” said Amanda Gray, APMA Executive Director. “USA-IT is bringing together industry and government to deploy best practices, latest technologies and information sharing in the fight against illicit trade.”
The black market is a $509 billion a year business, and growing. Tackling illegal trade and taking swift and strong enforcement actions against theft results in a reduction of other nefarious activities these crime organizations are engaged in, including drug smuggling and human trafficking. These groups exploit governments and citizens, manipulate financial systems, spur corruption, and cultivate instability and violence that threaten our communities.
For more information about USA-IT’s efforts to combat illegal trade, and to get involved, visit USAIT.org.
Read more about Arizona Issues: Arizona Governor Ducey Says Cartels Using Uber-like System for Human Trafficking; Yuma Sector Catches Drone Smuggling Heroin into U.S.; ADOT Officers Seize 112 Pounds of Cocaine at Topock Port of Entry; Illegal Trade Impacts Arizona Businesses
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