Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) on Monday arrested a South African citizen in possession of 28 kilos of the illegal drug, mandrax.
The Sernic spokesperson for Maputo province, Henrique Mendes, cited in Tuesday’s issue of the independent daily “O Pais”, said that the drug was to have been taken across the border and sold in South Africa.
“Sernic became aware that merchandise was being moved from one vehicle to another in Liberdade neighbourhood (in the city of Matola)”, said Mendes. “Investigations were made and this individual was caught. When the vehicle was searched, packages of the drugs were found hidden inside the doors”.
The South African (who was not named) denied owning or smuggling the mandrax. He said he had come to Mozambique to visit a Mozambican friend, and suggested that this unnamed “friend” had put the drugs in the car.
“I don’t know, I don’t know”, said the suspect. “My friend is a Mozambican, but I don’t know where he is now. Perhaps he put this in the car, but I don’t know. I have never seen these things”.
Mendes said Sernic is now working with Interpol to ascertain whether the South African has ties with any international drug trafficking ring.
