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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
South African border authorities have arrested three Zimbabwean man who were smuggling heroin worth R2 million into that country via Beitbridge border post.
The trio had hid their contraband, which weighed 10,25 kilogrammes, in one of their trucks’ compartments.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said Aaron Kasirori (36), Tendai Chaparadza (41) and Tafadzwa Moses Magurira (32) were arrested on Thursday night.
He said they appeared before a Musina magistrate on Friday last week, who remanded them in custody to Friday this week.
“They were nabbed at Beitbridge border for possession of suspected narcotics (heroin drug) weighing 10,25 kg and valued at
R2,050,000,” said Brig Mojapelo.
“The suspects were entering the country traveling in a big company truck. Members of the South African Police Service and the South African Revenue Services were busy with the normal routine at the border post when the truck was directed to the cargo scanner.
“It was at this point that the scanner detected the drugs hidden under the bed compartment of the truck.
“The substance tested positive through the heroin testing devise.”
Brig Mojapelo said the suspects were charged with possession and/or dealing in illegal drugs.
He said the police were out in full force to reduce incidents of smuggling along the border line.
The smuggling of drugs and related products is rife between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Recently, a Zimbabwean registered Toyota Quantum was intercepted at the same border post while smuggling a contraband of suspected drugs which were concealed in two gas cylinders.
The driver took to flight following the interception by members of that country’s organised crime unit, the Hawks.
Early this year, a 26-year-old Malawian woman was arrested while smuggling three kilogrammes of cocaine worth R1,6 million through the same border post.
Martha Chakoma was arrested on the South African side of the border by a team of detectives from the Hawks and customs officers.
In 2015, two women were fined R40 000 each after they were apprehended while smuggling 28kg of drugs worth R8million into the neighbouring country.
The two women, Memory Mapurisa (39), a Zimbabwean and Vuyiswa Mabaso (23) from Lesotho were intercepted by a patrol team while walking across the Alfred Beit Bridge into South Africa.
Online Reporter