Mozambican police seize 356 kilograms of drugs in Nacala-Porto

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Mozambican police seize 356 kilograms of drugs in Nacala-Porto

3:58 CAT | 25 Mar 2021

Photo: Jornal Ikweli

The Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) have seized 356 kilogrammes of drugs in the northern province of Nampula, a corporation source told Lusa today.

The drugs were seized early on Wednesday from a number of boats that had just docked at Naherenque beach in Nacala Porto, PRM spokesman in Nampula Zacarias Nacute revealed.

“The seizure came as a result of a joint effort between the PRM and the Criminal Investigation Service,” he said, adding that the drugs were now being examined to determine whether it is ‘crack’ cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine.

The owners of the boats, who were unloading the cargo into a vehicle when they were surprised by the police, fled by sea as soon as they noticed the presence of the authorities.

“At this moment, patrols are taking place in the coastal area with a view to locating the fugitives,” the source added.

Mozambique is used as a corridor for international drug trafficking by several international organisations.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), authorities in Kenya and Tanzania, countries located to the north of Mozambique, have increased surveillance in recent years, pushing traffickers south towards the Mozambican coast, “in search of new routes and markets”.

Further data released by the United Nations reveals that the Mozambican authorities have identified, in two years, about 50 victims of human trafficking, the majority for forced labour.

Source: Lusa