The Yemen Times is a well-informed paper. You know the answer to your question. The reason is that the people who engage in smuggling are themselves the arbiters of power in this country. Those in power are directly engaged in smuggling, or they are patrons of the smugglers. I have said this on television.
Smuggling is very destructive to our national economy.
It is unfair trade for our importers, investors and industrialists. It brings goods unchecked and uncontrolled for quality to our consumers. It deprives the state of legitimate revenue. It creates an underground economy. It encourages a law-breaking culture based on bad moral values.