The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ALERT Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers on Monday busted a well-orchestrated plan to smuggle a truckload of mackerel into the country from Mozambique through an illegal entry point.
CID Manicaland District spokesperson, Detective Sergeant Shake Shanu confirmed the arrest of Andrew Donga (28) of Chikanga Phase Two in Mutare and Simbarashe Mariko (27) of Border Streams.
Detective Sergeant Shanu said on Monday, detectives who were on patrol along the border received information that Donga and Mariko intended to smuggle fish through Border Streams illegal point.
“Acting upon the information, the detectives ambushed the suspects along Border Streams Road and intercepted a Hino Ranger truck which was loaded with 200x30kgs boxes of mackerel fish smuggled from Mozambique.
“The truck was being driven by Donga and Mariko was a passenger. The two were asked to produce import documents for the fish and they failed to do so,” said Detective Sergeant Shanu.
The 200 boxes of fish were recovered.
“Accused persons were arrested. They recovered the 200 boxes of mackerel which are valued at US$8 000,” said Detective Sergeant Shanu.
The accused persons are being charged with smuggling under the Customs and Excise Act, Chapter 23.02.
