Andrew
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
AN 18-year-old man has been hauled before the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court after he was arrested on Saturday by members of the National Security Taskforce for allegedly smuggling 26kg of cannabis (dagga) through an illegal crossing point along the Limpopo River.
Timothy Mpofu of Medium Tshidixwa suburb in Beitridge appeared before Resident Magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba on Tuesday afternoon charged with possession of dangerous drugs.
He was remanded in custody to May 25.
Prosecutor Miss Esnath Vengedza said Mpofu arrived in the country from South Africa on April 16 via an illegal entry point on the Limpopo River.
He was then intercepted by police officers near Malindi Transit Shed, who were carrying out an operation against border crimes.
The team searched him and the big sack he had been carrying, leading to the discovery of the dagga loaded in 10 plastic bags.
She said the accused was immediately arrested and his contraband of dagga weighing 26 kgs was subsequently confiscated.
Zimbabwe beefed up its security along the border with South Africa in January last year to curb smuggling, armed robberies and illegal migration, among others.
Over 100 000 people have been arrested for various border crimes between January 2021 to date.
Online Reporter