By Patience Gondo
A 53 year old man was arrested at Beitbridge Border Post after detectives and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) Canine officers recovered BronCleer cough syrup worth US$9 000 hidden in a commuter omnibus .
The omnibus was travelling from Durban, South Africa to Harare.
The Officer Commanding Beitbridge Police District Chief Supritendent Mesuli Ncube confirmed the incident.
It is understood the suspect identified as Jori Govero was arrested on Monday at around 2:30am following a joint anti-smuggling operation.
“Police acted on a tip-off that the suspect was transporting unregistered medicines through the border post using a Toyota Quantum commuter omnibus towing a trailer,” said a source.
A search resulted in the recovery of 750 bottles of BronCleer cough syrup concealed in yellow Shoprite Changan bags mixed with Mama’s popcorn and inside plastic buckets filled with mealie meal.
“Nine khaki boxes containing 450 bottles were hidden in the trailer, while six more boxes containing 300 bottles were concealed in plastic buckets .”
When Govero was interviewed he claimed these were from an unknown client in Durban for delivery to a Harare-based recipient identified only as Kule Chris.
It is understood further investigations are now on, including a planned controlled delivery operation aimed at identifying and arresting the intended recipient.