Maputo, 27 Jun (AIM) – Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) has arrested 11 individuals in possession of 60.93 kilos of amphetamine and heroin, in Mossuril district, northern Mozambican province of Nampula.
The SERNIC spokesperson in Nampula, Enina Tchinine, told reporters that the arrests were the result of coordinated work between SERNIC and the police, which began on June 9, when suspicious movements were detected at the Lunga administrative post.
Among the detainees, there are two Tanzanian nationals. There are also two state officials involved in the case. “One is from the Monapo Municipal Council and another one is a deputy commander of the Lake and River Police, assigned to the Lunga administrative post”, said Tchinine.
During the operation, SERNIC seized a car, several mobile phones and bank cards.
“We went to the scene and seized 53 packages of a product which, after testing, turned out to be an amphetamine-type drug, as well as heroin”, Tchinine said.
According to SERNIC, each package was bought for 650,000 meticais (about 10,200 dollars at the current exchange rate), with the intention of reselling it at 170,000 meticais per package.
Tchinine also said that some of the detainees claim to have received the drugs from members of the police themselves. “Some claim to have received the drugs from Police officers assigned to the Lunga post”, she said. “Others say they got it from members of the maritime police, including a deputy commander.”
(AIM)
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