Maputo, 16 Jun (AIM) – The Mozambican Tax Authority (AT) refuses the involvement of customs officials in the seizure of fentanyl 3.7 tonnes of fentanyl in a warehouse of a private company at Maputo Airport.
In a statement, the AT “rejects any allegations that link customs officials to the seizure of fentanyl. The officials on duty fully complied with all legal procedures. While investigations are ongoing, any possible individual misconduct will be carried out in the course of official duties.”
According to the document, during inspection, the Joint Special Cargo Control Unit – which consists of Customs, the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) and Mozambican Police (PRM) and the Civil Aviation Institute (ANAC) – identified irregularities that warranted a physical inspection, taking into account the importer’s profile and the nature of the declared goods?
“Following the absence of the cargo owner to attend the inspection process, customs authorities summoned the transport company on 11 June to collect laboratory samples. Tests later confirmed the presence of an illicit substance, leading to the seizure of the shipment and its formal handover to SERNIC for criminal investigation”, reads the document.
The drugs were found packaged in 50 boxes, each containing 30 packets of 2.2 kilos, totalling 1,500 packets. This is one of the largest drug seizures ever made by authorities in the country.
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