In the Delta region, the navy continues to increase its operation against oil thieves. Armed sailors in small boats are going after the thieves that tap into pipelines that cross waterways. The thieves put the oil into small barges, which are then towed away to the coast, and larger tankers run by gangs that smuggle the oil out of the country. The navy is making life more difficult for these smugglers as well. But corruption is showing up more often. Naval officers who stop smuggling ships are more likely to face a bribe offer, than gun fire. But either is possible.