Maputo, 25 Sep (AIM) – Mozambique’s Central Office for the Prevention and Control of Drugs (GCPCD) has recorded a significant increase in drug trafficking and consumption during the first half of 2026.
According to José Bambo, head of GCPCD, speaking to reporters on Thursday, in Maputo, during the presentation of the national report on drug trafficking and consumption, the authorities recorded 131 cases of drug trafficking and consumption, which corresponds to 75 percent increase compared to the same period of 2024.
According to Bambo, a portion of the seized drugs originated in Asian countries, particularly India, while cocaine shipments primarily arrived from Latin America.
“These drugs originated in some Asian countries, particularly India. We also had cocaine coming from Latin America,” Bambo stated.
According to Bambo, during the same period, about 1.4 million young people and teenagers were reached through primary drug prevention initiatives. “These were aimed at promoting youth well-being, through lectures, debates, sports and cultural events, media broadcasts, and youth dialogue sessions”, he said.
Against this backdrop, Mozambique’s Customs authorities stepped up measures during the first half of 2026 to prevent and combat the entry of chemical products that could be diverted for synthetic drug production.
For his part, Sérgio Rafael, representing the Commissioner-General of the Mozambique Tax Authority, stated that risk profiles have been activated for substances such “as hydrogen chloride, nitric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, urea, and ammonium nitrate.”
Rafael explained that while these chemicals have legitimate applications in agriculture, laboratories, and industry, they pose a high risk of diversion for illicit purposes.
“Some are used to produce fertilizers, others as laboratory reagents, industrial cleaning agents, or even in the production of explosives. They have legitimate uses, but some of these products also have the potential to be used in manufacturing opioids and synthetic drugs,” he noted.
As part of these heightened controls, Rafael revealed that on June 7, Customs authorities at Maputo International Airport seized 50 boxes containing approximately 3.75 kilograms of amphetamines.
The shipment originated in India and arrived on a Qatar Airways flight. The seizure was conducted in coordination with the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC).
Rafael reaffirmed Customs’ commitment to strengthening inspections and border controls to stop precursor chemicals and illegal drugs from entering the country.
(AIM)
Zt/Am/
