James Monazard, the Minister of Trade and Industry reminds distributors of petroleum products and the general public that the storage of a product in order to create its scarcity on the market is condemned by the Law; in particular that of December 20, 1946 on the black market and illicit speculation.

Article 1 of the said Law considers as illicit speculation "any act of acquisition, sale, transfer and exchange of goods above the price fixed by the authorities concerned as well as any clandestine storage or refusal to sell certain basic necessities outside the forms prescribed by the legal provisions."

Determined to ensure the strict application of this legal provision, the Ministry's inspectors will carry out inspection visits to gas stations and will control their stocks.

These inspections will also extend to the clandestine deposits of sellers in the informal sector, with the support of the prosecuting authorities. In the event of duly noted violations, offenders will be sanctioned in accordance with the laws and regulations in force.

IH/ iciHaiti