Beitbridge, Zimbabwe | Bokwest Trucking, a prominent grain transportation company, has come under scrutiny after one of its trucks was intercepted at the Beitbridge border post carrying 10 bags of marijuana hidden within a consignment of maize.
The truck, driven by Tafadzwa Kagande, was flagged during routine scanning operations, which revealed inconsistencies in the cargo.
Upon closer inspection, border officials uncovered the marijuana concealed among the maize. While the exact weight of the confiscated drugs has not been disclosed, the discovery has raised serious concerns about the potential use of legitimate businesses as fronts for illegal smuggling activities.
Kagande has since been detained by police, who are investigating the origins and intended destination of the marijuana, as well as the possibility of a broader network behind the operation.
When contacted, Bokwest’s call director, Elias Mukandi, acknowledged the incident but declined to provide detailed comments, stating only, “Our company is licensed to transport grain only.”
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However, the company’s association with such an incident has sparked speculation that this may not be an isolated case.
The Beitbridge border post, a critical transit hub between Zimbabwe and South Africa, has become a hotspot for smuggling activities, with officials ramping up security measures in recent years.
Law enforcement agencies have voiced concerns about the increasing trend of using legitimate cargo—such as agricultural produce—to mask illegal operations, and this incident has amplified fears that Bokwest’s truck may be part of a longer-term smuggling scheme.
The authorities are now focused on unraveling the full extent of the operation, with questions swirling about whether Bokwest has unknowingly or knowingly facilitated such activities in the past.
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