Smuggling bid lands two in court

more than US$70 000 from Zimbabwe to Dubai through the Harare International Airport have appeared in court.
Lastern Kamsaro (26), an Independent Scre-ener at the Harare International Airport and Princess Mapfumo (28) of Westlea in Harare pleaded not guilty to contravening the Customs and Excise Act, when their trial opened before Harare Magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga last Thursday.
In his defence outline, Kamsaro said he coincidentally met Mapfumo in the basement at Harare International Airport.
Mapfumo said she had no plans of leaving without declaring the money and was arrested before she could do so.
For the State, Detective Constables Tsikai Mafunga and Evans Ncube from the Border Control and Minerals Unit, said the pair knew that the limit allowed for a person to take out of the country is US$10 000.
“We cannot rule out the possibility of connivance between the two who knew the loophole at the airport,” said Det Mafunga.
He said Kamsaro assisted someone who was flying out of Zimbabwe when he knew the limit and she did not present herself to Zimra to declare the amount of cash she had.
“The moment one’s passport is stamped with a departure stamp it means you have been authorised to leave,” he said.
State Prosecutor Mr Innocent Chingarande alleges that Kamsaro’s duty involved conducting body searches on passengers to determine if they have any illegal materials or any excess cash on them.
On March 13 at around 1pm, knowing that an individual has to declare cash on themselves in excess of US$10 000, Kamsaro allegedly connived with Mapfumo who had booked flight number ET873 to Dubai to smuggle the cash out of the country.
Mapfumo reportedly passed the Zimra counter and indicated to Zimra officials that she did not have anything to declare, said the State.
She also allegedly passed the security checkpoint and went to the national handling services restaurant, which is at the basement.
Detectives allegedly spotted her acting in a suspicious manner as she left for the toilet.
After a few minutes, Kamsaro reportedly followed after a few minutes and was spotted with his suit jacket bulging and stood at the toilet entrance.
Detectives followed and it is alleged they overhead him ordering someone to come out of the toilet.
When Mapfumo came out, Kamsaro handed over a parcel wrapped in newspapers.
Detectives appeared and identified themselves and a search led to the discovery of two parcels that were in Kamsaro’s pockets, which contained US$58 870, the court heard.
Further searches led to the discovery of another US$21 700 that was stashed in Mapfumo’s pockets and bra.The trial continues on April 20.