South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted a Malawi-registered truck at Beitbridge Border Post ferrying methaqualone worth about K106 billion.
According South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (Sabc), BMA arrested two Malawians and a Zambian in connection with the development.
Reads the Sabc report: “The Border Management Authority [BMA] says it has arrested three people after intercepting a drug consignment worth nearly R1 billion at the Beitbridge Border Post between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“Authorities say a truck entering SA [South Africa] from Malawi was flagged after scanners detected suspicious cargo. A lengthy search uncovered about 713 000 grammes of an ingredient commonly used in the production of mandrax. Investigations are underway into the destination of the drugs.”
Private media Sowetan Live quoted BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi as having said the suspects are currently detained at Musina Police Unit pending court appearance to answer drug trafficking charges.
“The truck was subjected to a non-intrusive inspection through the cargo scanner, during which suspicious substances were detected. This prompted officials to conduct an extensive search of the truck which lasted about eight hours,” she said.
On the other hand, The Citizen newspaper also quoted BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato saying: “The BMA continues to enhance its operational capabilities through the use of advanced technology, intelligence coordination and strategic partnerships to secure South Africa’s borders.”
Malawi Police Service national spokesperson Lael Chimtembo yesterday said the law enforcement agency awaits information from Interpol.
“We are yet to get information from Interpol, which usually informs us on issues beyond our borders like this one,” he said in an interview.
The Customs and Excise Act entirely prohibits movement of illegal items across the borders of Malawi.
Security expert Master Mfune said the development signals a security lapse within Southern African Development Community region.
“People use our borders to transport illegal materials, aided by own citizens and law enforcers who are in need of urgent money,” he decried.
By press time, Malawi Revenue Authority spokesperson Wilma Chalulu was yet to respond to how the illicit goods went through the borders in the face of officials and relevant laws.
But on his part, Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services spokesperson Pasqually Zulu said any person can leave the country provided they have proper documentation.
Methaqualone is a substance used to produce mandrax, a drug that causes over-excitement, staggering, slurred speech, blurred vision, slowed heart rate and slowed breathing when humans consume it.
