Courage Dutiro
The country’s tax collector, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has joined the nation in fighting drug and substance abuse in the country through tightening the porous border lines where they are allegedly smuggled into the country.
Addressing journalists at Chevron Hotel on February 24, 2023, ZIMRA region 3 enforcement Manager Tomeyi Sona said the revenue authority is going to use drone system to monitor the border lines where smuggling is rife.
“Some of our border lines have no physical boundaries so when it comes to smuggling; the drone system is going to assist in detecting any illegal border movements in such areas.
“The drones have so far been acquired and a team that is going to operate the system is under training. The system will be in place by April,” said Tomeyi.
ZIMRA region 3 covers Masvingo and Midlands provinces.
He also said on the designated ports of entry the revenue authority’s scanners and sniffer dogs are assisting in curbing the illegal importation of dangerous substances and drugs into the country.
“When drugs come through our legal ports of entry, scanners and sniffer dogs that are already in use can detect those drugs,” he said.
The country is struggling with drug and substance abuse.
On February 21, 2023, a tout was found lying lifeless at a bar in Mucheke, Masvingo after he allegedly took an over dose of an illicit substance.
Recently Masvingo police intercepted 60kgs of mbanje, and other illegal substances during its Anti-drug abuse blitz in Masvingo.
