News / National
Police bust second-hand clothing smuggling syndicate
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Police in Gweru have dismantled a suspected second-hand clothing smuggling syndicate following an early morning raid in the Daylesford suburb, which led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of over 160 bales of clothing.
Confirming the operation, Officer Commanding Gweru District Urban, Chief Superintendent Dr Leon Marongedze, said the anti-smuggling blitz was part of an ongoing effort to clamp down on illicit trade activities in the city.
"I can confirm that an anti-smuggling blitz conducted by the police resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of 164 second-hand bales. Some suspected smugglers fled from the scene when the raid was conducted by the police," he said.
The recovered bales reportedly contain various types of clothing items including shoes, jackets, and trousers, believed to have been smuggled into Zimbabwe from Mozambique.
Chief Superintendent Marongedze said police would be working closely with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) to determine the exact value of the goods.
"We are going to engage ZIMRA to ascertain the value of the smuggled goods," he added.
Second-hand clothing smuggling has become a growing concern for authorities, with the illegal trade not only undermining formal retailers but also depriving the state of critical revenue.
The latest bust highlights the scale of the smuggling networks operating across Zimbabwe's porous borders, particularly with Mozambique, and comes as the government intensifies efforts to curb the influx of contraband goods that flood local markets.
Investigations into the broader network behind the smuggling operation are ongoing, with police expected to make further arrests.
Confirming the operation, Officer Commanding Gweru District Urban, Chief Superintendent Dr Leon Marongedze, said the anti-smuggling blitz was part of an ongoing effort to clamp down on illicit trade activities in the city.
"I can confirm that an anti-smuggling blitz conducted by the police resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of 164 second-hand bales. Some suspected smugglers fled from the scene when the raid was conducted by the police," he said.
The recovered bales reportedly contain various types of clothing items including shoes, jackets, and trousers, believed to have been smuggled into Zimbabwe from Mozambique.
"We are going to engage ZIMRA to ascertain the value of the smuggled goods," he added.
Second-hand clothing smuggling has become a growing concern for authorities, with the illegal trade not only undermining formal retailers but also depriving the state of critical revenue.
The latest bust highlights the scale of the smuggling networks operating across Zimbabwe's porous borders, particularly with Mozambique, and comes as the government intensifies efforts to curb the influx of contraband goods that flood local markets.
Investigations into the broader network behind the smuggling operation are ongoing, with police expected to make further arrests.
Source - The Chronicle
