SERNIC concerned about drug trafficking

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SERNIC concerned about drug trafficking

8:51 CAT | 31 Oct 2018

Photo: AIM

Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) on Monday expressed concern at the apparent growth in drug trafficking.

At a Maputo press conference, SERNIC spokesperson Leonardo Simbine announced that recent investigations have led to the arrest of two Tanzanians, a Kenyan and a Pakistani citizen who were in possession of 34 kilos of cocaine and about two kilos of hashish.

“In collaboration with the other defence and security forces, SERNIC has been monitoring this group, and we were able to arrest them red-handed in Cabo Delgado province”, said Simbine.

Police investigations, he continued, led to the conclusion that the Pakistani, named as Tanveer Ahmed Allah (better known as Galby), was in charge of the group. Simbine said he was a drug baron who operated throughout southern Africa, and was wanted in several countries in the region.

SERNIC presented to the press 15 individuals, allegedly members of three gangs who specialised in car theft. They were picked up under an operation code-named “Dubas 1”, aimed at dismantling the criminal network involved in stealing and trafficking in vehicles in Maputo city and province.

Simbine said SERNIC has recovered 24 stolen vehicles, some of which the gangs had used for their own criminal purposes. They had used forged vehicle documents to claim ownership of the cars.

One of those arrested was a policeman who confessed to his involvement in the theft of 12 laptop computers”. “I can’t say why I embarked on this path”, he told reporters. “The gun I used to commit crimes belongs to my workplace. I am sorry, and I apologise to my family and to the state”.

But others insisted they had been wrongfully arrested. “They said I know the seller of a stolen car, but I’d like to ask for help from anyone who can help me”, one of them said. “I didn’t take part in any theft in the city, and I didn’t steal any cars”.

SERNIC took advantage of the occasion to warn citizens thinking of buying second hand cars to check where they come from. Simbine said SERNIC can help them ascertain whether the car in question is stolen.

Source: AIM