QUITO, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's government on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in the energy industry to fight the smuggling of cooking gas and gasoline out of Ecuador into Colombia and Peru.

    Mines and Energy Minister Alberto Acosta told a press conference that a state of emergency allows Ecuador to mobilize the army, the International Revenue Service and state-run oil company Petroecuador.

    The government will present a bill to Ecuador's unicameral legislature, the Congress, to fight fuel smuggling, Acosta said.

    "We will launch a frontal campaign against contraband fuel and aim for an integrated control system," Acosta said. "At present there is neither transparency nor control along the refining, transport, storage, supply and distribution chain," he added.

    Acosta said that fuel smuggling costs Ecuador some 500 million U.S. dollars a year, which will be reduced by at least 200 million dollars if the program is successful.

    A gallon (4.5 liters) of diesel costs 90 U.S. cents in Ecuador, but 1.90 dollars in Colombia and 3.30 in Peru.

    Acosta said that Ecuador also plans to reduce fuel leaks, and beef up enforcement over land, sea and air, and the borders.

    At the same press conference, Homero Arellano, commander of Ecuador's navy, said all three military forces will take part in the campaign against fuel smuggling.