adminThandeka Moyo Chronicle Correspondent
SOUTH African police have intercepted 80 kilograms of cocaine worth R23 million from Zimbabwe at the Beitbridge Border Post. A haulage truck carrying the classified drug amazingly cleared Zimbabwean immigration and customs – only to be intercepted on the South Africa side.
South African Revenue Services (Sars) spokesperson Marika Muller said it was the biggest ever shipment of cocaine they had intercepted being smuggled into the country.
“Sars can confirm that we seized cocaine worth about R23 million, concealed in a truck attempting to enter South Africa from Zimbabwe,” she said in a statement.
“The truck had started its trip in Malawi. The truck had been identified for closer searches, and had been moved out of the processing queue to be checked.”
She said inside the truck’s cabin the customs team found bags containing wrapped A4-sized parcels which the driver claimed contained his clothes.
“Initial inspection indicated the parcels contained a soft white substance,” Muller said. “After a full physical search the team found 100 A4 parcels weighing 800kgs, each containing smaller packages of a white powder.”
Muller said the powder was confirmed as cocaine by chemical testing.
“This is the single biggest seizure of cocaine ever at Beitbridge. The truck driver was arrested and the truck was seized.”
The drug seizure will once again raise questions about Zimbabwe’s border security.
Not only are drugs being smuggled across the country’s borders – with the help of corrupt officials – minerals too are being spirited away on an industrial scale, President Robert Mugabe said recently.
Online Reporter