Malawi Revenue Authority intercepts drug trafficker at Chileka

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) on Wednesday intercepted and seized two bags of suspected prohibited drugs believed to have been imported from India.

MRA official seizing the drug
MRA official seizing the drug
Seized drug at Chileka
Seized drug at Chileka

According to MRA,tThe drugs were seized at Chileka Airport passengers’ terminal by Customs officers during passenger clearance.

The drugs, weighing 22kgs, were concealed inside eleven soft wood boards which had imprint of snakes and ladder game on the top, according to MRA Deputy Director Corporate Affairs, Steven Kapoloma.

“MRA officers working at Chileka Airport, upon doing passenger clearance, they discovered two bags that the owner cleared as snakes and ladders games.

“The officers became suspicious because the game boards were heavier than normal, so they the demanded that the games boards be opened but the owner refused to open the boards until MRA officer forcefully opened the tables and discovered that the game boards contained some prohibited drugs,” said Kapoloma.

The bags were imported from India into the country by Mr. Lazarus Zungawho, who is believed to be a South African as he possesses a South African passport.

According to him, importation of drugs in Malawi is a serious offence and prohibited under Section 21 of the Customs and Excise Act.

“The suspect told our officers that he was on transit to South Africa, but thought of visiting relations here in Malawi before proceeding to South Africa. The drugs were destined for South Africa,” explained Kapoloma.

The drugs and the suspect have been handed over to Chileka Police station.

“Each game had a packet; so we have seized 11 packets of prohibited drugs. We cannot tell the type of drugs, but we will hand over these drugs to police so that they can ascertain as to what exactly these drugs are,” said Kapoloma.

He also said the law enforcers will proceed with process of prosecuting the South African national as the tax collecting does not have the mandated of drag law offenders to court.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
20 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
pina
pina
9 years ago

Malawi should have border securities. But that will happen in 145 generations to come…

Zanga Phee!
Zanga Phee!
9 years ago

This is what we are expecting from our MRA not troubling your fellow Malawians with DVDs players from South Africa to say pay VAT for what?please focus on such cases then Malawi can be at a later state see my name.

Malipeya
Malipeya
9 years ago

I HOPE THE JUDICIARY WILL EMULATE INDONESIA WHERE SUCH CASES DEMAND SERIOUS PUNISHMENT.

Chimani. Game
Chimani. Game
9 years ago

Mar if you did not know the drug how then did you come to a conclusion that it is prohibited?becareful when you go to court,mukapusako

Mang'anja
Mang'anja
9 years ago

Well done mra enantu ntchito mumaifuna koma ena akanaombela manja kuti buredi has come

zilipati?
zilipati?
9 years ago

Mwina ndi a malungo! Kkkkkk

chiefdastownhall
9 years ago

One question is that where is that aeroplane before it landed at chileka?

Gabriel Msukwa
Gabriel Msukwa
9 years ago

Isa, Koma galu ameneyu eti? Wabweretsa maybe drug ache Uko, amvekere ndikawapengetse a Malawi, mukanyangeni basi, nice job, bravo

alukosyo
alukosyo
9 years ago

Anyongedwe anzathu kunjaku amatero. Hang hang. hang him

Mphongo Zidana
Mphongo Zidana
9 years ago

MRA, you have done a great job. Continue working with the police to make our country safe. As a country we have been labelled as the poorest. So let us at least be labelled as the safest.

Read previous post:
Airtel Malawi gives Mjura warm send-off to Trace Music finals

Malawi’s representative to the pan-African music contest, Airtel Trace Stars, Samuel Mjura Mkandawire on Thursday received a warm send-off from...

Close