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Tanyaradzwa Nyahoda
Post Reporter
TWO second-hand clothes smugglers who were caught in possession of 38 sealed bales have been fined $50 000 each.
Melody Chikurunhe (37) of Dzivarasekwa 2, Harare and Gibson Chirau (27) of Makomo Extension, Epworth appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Richard Ramabowa for contravening Section 174 (2) (b) of the Customs and Excise Act which criminalises failure to account for imported goods.
The pair pleaded guilty to the charges.
Ms Sharon Nyamukungwa prosecuted.
On August 17, detectives from CID Mutare received information that there was a Nissan Caravan vehicle heading to Mutare Central Business District carrying suspected smuggled goods from Mozambique through an illegal crossing point near Marymount Teachers’ college.
“Acting on the tip-off, detectives laid ambush along Park Road where they intercepted the vehicle near Macs Shopping Centre in Palmerstone. Chikurunhe was behind the wheel and Chirawu was on the front passenger seat. The driver was instructed to stop after the detectives identified themselves by producing their police identity cards,” said Ms Nyamukungwa.
A search was conducted in the vehicle and sealed 38 bales of second-hand clothes were recovered.
The duo was arrested after failing to account for the contraband.
The total value of the recovered second-hand clothes bales is $326 000 and were seized by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
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