Mutare police nab smuggler in cross-border crackdown
In a crackdown on cross-border crimes, police in Mutare, Zimbabwe have arrested a 30-year-old man named Descent Munarwo for smuggling along the Mutare-Masvingo Road.
The arrest took place on June 21, 2024, when police officers deployed on the “No To Cross Border Crimes” operation stopped and searched an Inter Africa bus at a security checkpoint in Hotsprings. The search led to the recovery of 10 bales of second-hand clothes and 2 bales of second-hand shoes that Munarwo was attempting to smuggle.
Smuggling of goods, particularly second-hand clothing and shoes, is a persistent problem along Zimbabwe’s borders as unscrupulous individuals seek to avoid paying the necessary import duties and taxes. This illicit trade not only deprives the government of much-needed revenue, but also undermines the viability of local businesses and manufacturers.
The arrest of Munarwo serves as a stark warning to others who may be tempted to engage in such illegal activities. The police have vowed to intensify their crackdown on cross-border crimes, utilizing intelligence-led operations and thorough searches to apprehend those involved.
