Maputo, 15 Mar (AIM) – The Mozambican Minister of the Interior, Pascoal Ronda, claims that despite all adversities, the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces (FDS) will continue to protect the country’s vast coastline from being transformed into a drug trafficking corridor.
According to Ronda, who was speaking on Thursday at the country’s parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, answering requests for information from the deputies, the quantities of drugs seized recently are part of a vast, organized and systematic effort to combat drug trafficking, despite the difficulties in controlling the coastline.
“Our country has a vast coastline [around 2,770 kilometers] where the conditions for its protection are a real challenge, but even so our forces do everything they can to protect it”, he said.
“The quantities referred to were hidden and not exposed. Thanks to the vigilance of the men and women in uniform of our forces, it was possible to seize these quantities and arrest those involved”, he added.
In 2023, according to the minister, 3,386 kilos of hashish, 603 of heroin, 202 of methamphetamine and 50 kilos of cocaine were seized in the country, culminating in the arrest of 32 individuals.
From January to March this year, 173 and 250 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized in the coastal districts of Inhassoro and Vilankulo, in Inhambane province respectively, totaling 431 kilograms, with four people arrested.
“This means that work is being done. With all the limitations. With all the adversities, but there is work. And it’s worth encouraging all the Mozambicans who are in the ranks of the defence and security forces and who do everything, and do it out of love for their country”, he said.
He acknowledged that despite these results, there are still challenges associated with the lack of adequate means to monitor “our sea coast, which is conducive to drug trafficking and other offences.”
Ronda guaranteed that all the drugs seized had already been incinerated in the presence of a multi-sector team, as required by law.
(AIM)
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