Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), working with the joint security team, yesterday intercepted a Malawi-bound cross-border bus carrying a large consignment of drugs and restricted substances with a street value of nearly US$100 000 smuggled into the country through the Beitbridge Border Post.
The contraband — which included 780 kilogrammes of mbanje, 720 units of Benylin cough syrup, 234 units of Astrapain and 561 units of Broncleer — was discovered concealed beneath a load of 45 bed comforters in a CB Coaches bus in transit to Malawi.
According to Zimra, the undeclared goods had an estimated street value of US$94 000, with dagga alone having a street value of US$78 000, while the restricted medicines’ street value is US$16 200.
Zimra spokesperson, Gladman Njanji said the interception followed an intelligence-led operation meant to curb smuggling, drug abuse and corruption at ports of entry.
“Today during the handover process, Zimra officials received intelligence from national enforcement agents regarding potential contraband on a CB Coaches bus. Upon inspection, the crew admitted to transporting Broncleer,” he said.
“Following this admission, Zimra officials conducted a thorough search and recovered 43 bales of marijuana weighing approximately 719 kgs, 69 small packages weighing about 71 kgs, 234 units of Astrapain, 561 units of Broncleer and 720 units of Benylin.”
The bus had six crew members, two of whom were arrested while the other four escaped. Police have since launched investigations.
“This aligns with our civil protection mandate. The bus was intercepted following a tip-off and police are now investigating the matter,” said Njanji.
He said Zimra is intensifying preventive measures to curb drug trafficking and the smuggling of controlled substances.
“In some instances, we are imposing penalties for importing controlled substances and we are continuing the physical and random searches of transit vehicles. Additionally, we will employ K9 units and intensify searches to improve detection rates and ensure compliance with national regulations and laws,” he said.
“Zimra remains steadfast in its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, smuggling and drug abuse. We are committed to protecting our citizens and maintaining the integrity of our borders.”
The Government has strengthened its crackdown on drug and substance abuse through an Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with formulating national strategies to combat trafficking, misuse and illicit distribution.
To enhance border surveillance, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has also established Drugs and Narcotics Units at Beitbridge, Victoria Falls, Chirundu and Mutare border posts. Additionally, new technologies such as drones are being deployed to support traditional monitoring systems.
Meanwhile, in a related case, a 29-year-old Beitbridge man was this week sentenced to eight years in prison for unlawfully dealing in dangerous drugs.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, Brilliant Hove was arrested on May 9 at a roadblock in Makhado along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Highway after CID Drugs and Narcotics detectives found him transporting 8,6 kilogrammes of dagga.
He was convicted and sentenced by the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court.
