Alleged drug smugglers alongside the Zimbabwe-South Africa route are more and more utilizing pretend funerals as a canopy to move illicit substances.
Authorities have uncovered a number of circumstances of traffickers disguising their operations as funeral processions. Criminals exploit the sanctity of demise to evade detection.
On Sunday morning, Beitbridge authorities caught a driver who allegedly pretended to be transporting a lifeless physique. They found he was smuggling an unspecified amount of medication. They found the medication hidden underneath his car’s trailer.
Drug Smuggling Try Uncovered at Beitbridge Border
Authorities stopped the Toyota Quantum for a routine inspection because it traveled from South Africa to Zimbabwe. They seen irregularities throughout the examine. In line with Sunday Information Zimbabwe, upon additional investigation, officers found the hid medication and detained the driving force for questioning.
Rising Development of Drug Smuggling by way of Pretend Funerals
In a separate incident, authorities caught a South African-registered Toyota Quantum smuggling cough syrup into Zimbabwe by way of the Beitbridge border publish. The smugglers hid the syrup in a coffin, pretending to move a physique. The syrup is reportedly in excessive demand, as individuals eat it to get excessive. This demonstrates an ongoing pattern the place traffickers exploit coffins and funerals as cowl for illicit drug transportation.
Public Response and Considerations
The interception comes amid rising considerations over drug smuggling within the area, with officers urging the general public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious actions.
The incident has additionally sparked reactions on social media, with many expressing considerations concerning the penalties of such smuggling techniques.
@TracyMoyo151105 wrote, “Now these officers will begin opening our corpses that must go dwelling and relaxation, considering we’re all medication once I’ll be a genuinely lifeless physique…” Others criticised the smugglers for disrespecting the deceased and deceptive authorities, whereas some known as for stricter measures to curb drug trafficking on the border.
@Godfree Paw stated: “It’s syndicate, they queue in numerous clinics and mix the merchandise and take it dwelling. Identical to ARVs they use similar technique. They going to promote them to personal well being establishments or firm that’s contracted to provide meds to well being division in Zim.”
Do you assume authorities ought to examine coffins to stop attainable drug smuggling?
Tell us by leaving a remark under, or ship a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African web site’s newsletters and observe us on WhatsApp, Fb, X and Bluesky for the most recent information.