Dealer nabbed over illegal whisky

A MAN from Mutare's Hobhouse high-density suburb was recently hauled before the courts for possessing 200 bottles of banned Mozambican whiskey.

Akele Akele was convicted on his own guilty plea when he appeared before Mutare magistrate, Miss Nyasha Kuture. He contravened Chapter 23:06 of the Customs and Exercise Act which outlaws the importation and possession of banned substances.

The court heard that Akele smuggled the Royal Whiskey from Mozambique for resale in Zimbabwe.

Public prosecutor, Mr Donald Mudadirwa said on September 8 at Chidzere Bar at around 7pm Akele was selling the illegal brew when he was ambushed.

"Detectives who were on patrol received a tip-off that the accused was selling the banned whiskey. The detectives searched the environment from where the suspect was carrying out his business and recovered more bottles of the illegal brew. He failed to produce a valid license which allows him to sell the prohibited alcohol, leading to his arrest," said Mr Mudadirwa. He was fined $80 or an alternative one month imprisonment.