The Zimbabwe Republic Police on Sunday arrested a 28-year-old man at the Beitbridge border post as he attempted to smuggle cigarettes out of the country into South Africa using a gas tank truck. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspect, Hillary Makopa, was driving the truck which was scanned at the export point and indicated that the tanker, which had been declared empty, was actually loaded with boxes of cigarettes.
Ass Comm Nyathi said the contraband, comprising 585 (50x10x20) boxes and 256 (25x10x20) boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes, was recovered from the tanker. He said police have intensified operations targeting syndicates involved in cross border crimes at all ports of entry and exit in the country.
“The police therefore categorically state that cigarette smuggling syndicates will be arrested without fear or favor,” he said.
“We warn bus operators, truck drivers, omalaytsha, clearing agents or any other person who initiates acts of smuggling that they are equally liable and will be arrested,” he said.
Source New Ziana
