Truck driver arrested with 692kg mbanje

Security agents deployed to the Beitbridge Border Post on Tuesday arrested a Harare-bound commercial truck driver for smuggling a contraband of Marijuana (Mbanje/Dagga) from South Africa into the country.

Initial investigation revealed that the man had loaded the 34 bales of drugs in Musina, Limpopo province.

The drugs worth US$69 167 have been seized by the police as part of the ongoing investigations.

A source within the security agents said they received a tip-off from a reliable source and passed on the information to the police.

“Information was received that there is a truck laden with Marijuana and the police we advised and working with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), a search was initiated a search resulting in the discovery of the contraband that was being transported in the Machete Logistics and Transport of South Africa with the following registration numbers; Horse BJ99BXGP, Trailer 1, MN87JVGP and Trailer 2 M87KGP,” said the source.

The police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube, said the truck driver had been charged with illegal possession of dangerous drugs.

He said the suspect will soon be appearing at the local courts pending further investigations.

Chief Supt Ncube said the police were employing several tactics to suffocate the drug dealers and drug peddlers and commended the support the police continue to get from members of the public in the fight against drug and substance abuse and trade-related crimes.

The Government has since set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee to formulate strategies and coordinate responses to the issue of drug and substance abuse in the country.

This has resulted in the establishment of four ZRP Drugs and Narcotics Units at four Border Posts, namely: Beitbridge, Victoria Falls, Chirundu and Mutare.

New technologies like drones are also being used to monitor the country’s borders in addition to the traditional surveillance methods to reduce smuggling and trafficking of drugs.