Contraband Worth US$100k Seized from Intercepted Truck
The truck, towing two trailers, is registered under the Capstone Company, a South African firm based in Johannesburg.
Police yesterday smashed a well-orchestrated smuggling racket and seized an assortment of alcohol worth over US$100,000 suspected to have been illegally brought into the country following the interception of a 30-tonne truck carrying some of the contraband.
The truck, which was towing two trailers, is registered under the Capstone Company, a South African firm based in Johannesburg.The vehicle was stopped by police from Bulawayo Central Traffic along Plumtree Road.
Upon being quizzed, the driver failed to produce supporting documents. Bulawayo provincial deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said upon being intercepted, the driver was ordered to drive to the nearest police station.
He, however, diverted and went to the Wood Liquor warehouse in the Belmont Industrial area.
“We followed the truck to the warehouse in Belmont and when the truck driver spotted our officers approaching, he immediately drove inside the premises and locked police out,” said Asst Insp Msebele. She said police managed to gain access to the property and searched the warehouse where they found a consignment of alcohol inside.
“Our officers asked for the relevant documents and none were produced by the authorities at the warehouse. We then called officials from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Bulawayo City Council,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
