SERNIC arrests traffickers in foreign currency

Maputo, 23 Sep (AIM) – Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) have arrested two foreigners, one from Mali and the other from Ivory Coast, who were trying to smuggle foreign currency out of the country to China.

According to the Maputo city spokesperson, Joao Adriano, cited in Tuesday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Mediafax”, the two traffickers were seized after they had already boarded a plane at Maputo International Airport.

They were on their way to China, and were found to be carrying 132,000 US dollars in banknotes. This money had not been declared to the customs authorities. Even if it had been declared, the maximum amount that a traveller can legally take out of the country in cash is 10,000 dollars.

Adriano said that the two detainees had deliberately hidden the cash from the authorities. Their refusal to declare the money suggested that it derived from criminal activities.

The detainees, who were presented to the press on Monday, said the money belonged to five people, including themselves, and was intended to purchase clothing and footwear in China, which would later be sold in Mozambique.

They claimed they own shops in downtown Maputo, and the money seized came from profits on the sales in those shops.

They said they had opted to carry large sums in cash because of supposed restrictions on the use of bank cards. The two also claimed to be unaware of the Mozambican legislation on foreign currency, and particularly of the 10,000 dollar limit on the amount of foreign currency that can be taken out of the country.
(AIM)
Pf/ (269)