Alert ZIMRA officials busted a truck driver who allegedly wanted to smuggle 76 kilogrammes of marijuana destined for the South African market via Nyamapanda Border Post on 23 June 2014. The South African registered truck carrying shutter ply from Malawi, was intercepted by alert ZIMRA officials with the assistance of Ruffy – a four legged officer – who was deployed at the border post courteous of the Authority’s Canine Unit.

Documents in possession of Revenews point to the fact that the driver, together with her female accomplice arrived at the border post with a view to clear their goods. However, on doing routine checks on the lorry, ZIMRA officials discovered 76 kgs of marijuana stashed in huge sack-like bags. The sack-like bags were carefully hidden under the driver’s bed. Some were in the tools’ compartment, while others were under a tent which was in the trailer.

Upon discovering the contraband, ZIMRA officials quickly alerted the police who arrested the driver together with his accomplice. The two are expected to appear in court soon facing charges of smuggling prohibited drugs.

Nyamapanda Border Post station manager Mrs Nhlanhla Gumbo was full of praises for Ruffy saying the dogs were playing a significant role in ensuring that dangerous substances are not allowed to pass through the border post. “The Canine Unit is a worthwhile investment indeed,” said Mrs Gumbo in a short eulogy dedicated to Ruffy and the Canine Unit as a whole.

Cases of smuggling of prohibited substances have been on a steady increase. However, the Authority has been doing everything within its capacity to deal with these cases. Recently, a truck driver who wanted to smuggle prohibited skin lightening creams through Chirundu One-Stop Border Post was busted by alert ZIMRA officials and handed over to police.

The Authority has not only deployed dogs from the Canine Unit to help in the detection of illegal substances at border posts, but also installed state-of-the-art scanners to help in dealing with smugglers.