Reporters on the spot ascertained that preliminary police work and laboratory analysis confirmed that the suspect substances were indeed drugs. This led the authorities to order that the container be sealed again.
But so far details are sparse because of a disagreement between the Mozambican Tax Authority (AT), which runs the customs service, and the Criminal Investigation Police (PIC) about how much information, if any, should be released to the press.
An AT source immediately informed “Noticias” of the seizure, but PIC said it was too early to provide any details, and data on the case would only be given next Monday.
At the port local forces were reluctant to let the “Noticias” team in, but other officials, who thought the discovery should not be kept secret, helped the journalists reach the area where the container is being held.
But so far “Noticias” has been unable to ascertain the quantity and nature of the drugs in the container, where they came from, and whether they were intended for consumption in Mozambique, or were in transit.
Post published in: Africa News