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.

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.