15 Feb 2021

Police in Masunga and Tshesebe policing areas have detected an alarming number of illegal importation of alcohol and tobacco over the past few days.

Speaking during the North East District COVID-19 task team meeting on Wednesday, Masunga Police’ Assistant Supt Vincent Tebogo stated that on February 9 police intercepted five Zimbabweans in possession of 1 329, 200ml bottles of brandy.

He stated that previously on Saturday February 6, police arrested other five Zimbabwean nationals carrying 2 800 bottles of 200ml brandy and 1 600 cartons of cigarettes.

Assistant Supt Tebogo said the culprits were in possession of valid residential permits and driving Botswana registered cars.

He said this indicated that some foreigners with residential permits were taking advantage of the privilege by moving freely and committing crimes.

He alleged that some Batswana were enabling cross-border crimes by placing orders for alcohol and tobacco.

The officer said police suspected that criminals were working in syndicates, whereby some went ahead of the consignment to check for police visibility then alerted others to elude police road blocks.

He pleaded with Batswana to be on the watch for such acts of crime and alert police whenever they suspected illegal dealings.

In his remarks, Tshesebe Police Station, Assistant Superintendent Motlamedi George stated that Tshesebe police on February 3 made two arrests on different occasions, where they confiscated 13 boxes of 750ml bottles of whiskey and 10x750ml bottles different brands of whiskey.

He said that on February 7 police made another arrest of non-declaration of goods, where 300x200ml bottles of whiskey were confiscated, adding that the following day, another case of 24 bottles of 750ml classic whiskey was registered.

Assistant Supt George stated that smuggling of alcohol and tobacco had become a common crime, noting that police had intercepted many such dealings since last year.

He said in some cases, Batswana were caught aiding such crimes by transporting non-declared goods while on other occasions it would be Zimbabwe nationals driving Botswana registered vehicles.

He indicated that police continued to intensify patrols to ensure that Botswana was not turned into a crime hub facilitated by citizens who worked with foreigners. ends