Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller Season 3 Episode 4 Terrorist Oil
- TV14
- February 8, 2023
- 44 min
-
(15)
In season 3 episode 4 of "Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller," titled "Terrorist Oil," Mariana travels to the heart of Niger Delta in Nigeria to investigate the illegal oil trade, which has long been linked to terrorist financing.
Mariana begins her journey by meeting with local militants who have taken up arms against the Nigerian government to demand a greater share of the country's oil wealth. These militants operate in a region where oil theft has become a way of life for many young men, offering them a way out of poverty and unemployment. Mariana observes firsthand how they use the creeks and waterways to siphon off crude oil from pipelines and refineries, and how they sell these stolen goods to middlemen who launder the oil and sell it on the black market.
Mariana then moves on to investigate the role of international oil traders who buy the stolen oil from the middlemen and transport it across the world, often without knowing its true origin. She speaks with insiders who reveal how these traders knowingly turn a blind eye to the illegal nature of the oil trade, and how they pocket enormous profits while the local communities suffer the environmental and social costs.
In the final part of her investigation, Mariana follows the money trail to uncover how the illegal oil trade is linked to terrorist financing. She meets with U.S. officials who explain how terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS have long been tied to the smuggling of stolen oil, and how the proceeds from these activities fund their violent campaigns.
Through her in-depth reporting and interviews with key players in the trade, Mariana sheds light on the complexities of the illegal oil business and the devastating impact it has on the local communities and the wider world. "Terrorist Oil" highlights the urgent need for reform in the international oil trade, and serves as a wakeup call for governments and corporations alike to take action against the illegal and dangerous practices that threaten global security and stability.