News / Regional
Man caught trying to smuggle 262 boxes of cigarettes to SA
23 Oct 2012 at 18:28hrs | Views
A 43-year-old Malawian truck driver was last Friday evening arrested for conniving with a Beitbridge man to smuggle 262 boxes of cigarettes worth US$26 200 out of the country through the Beitbridge border post.
The duo reportedly hid the contraband under a consignment of tea, which was being shipped from Blantyre, Malawi to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Frank Austin Chisamba, who is employed by Load Masters as a truck driver and Tinashe Muzondo (35) were arrested by detectives from the Border Control Unit following a tip-off.
It is understood that the Malawian-registered truck arrived in Beitbridge town at around midday on Friday. Acting in connivance, the two accused persons only declared to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) that the truck was carrying a shipment of tea destined for South Africa.
A search of the truck was conducted, leading to the discovery of 262 boxes of cigarettes stashed in 400 sacks of tea. The duo was subsequently arrested and the contraband was in turn seized by Zimra. The state stood to lose US$26 200 in excise revenue.
Matabeleland South police spokesman Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya said the two men were still in police custody as investigations continued.
The duo reportedly hid the contraband under a consignment of tea, which was being shipped from Blantyre, Malawi to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Frank Austin Chisamba, who is employed by Load Masters as a truck driver and Tinashe Muzondo (35) were arrested by detectives from the Border Control Unit following a tip-off.
It is understood that the Malawian-registered truck arrived in Beitbridge town at around midday on Friday. Acting in connivance, the two accused persons only declared to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) that the truck was carrying a shipment of tea destined for South Africa.
A search of the truck was conducted, leading to the discovery of 262 boxes of cigarettes stashed in 400 sacks of tea. The duo was subsequently arrested and the contraband was in turn seized by Zimra. The state stood to lose US$26 200 in excise revenue.
Matabeleland South police spokesman Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya said the two men were still in police custody as investigations continued.
Source - TH
