A special enforcement operation mounted by the Customs Division has led to the seizure of smuggled wheat flour, gallons of cooking oil and soap.
Manager, Inspectorate Skiviner Mlowoka said the operations were conducted in trading centres of Nsanje, Chikhwawa, Mulanje, Thyolo and Phalombe districts.
He said the action followed tips of an influx of smuggled wheat flour and laundry soaps from Mozambique.
“The smuggled flour brands were Faspao, Mozpao, Power Bake and Favourita while the smuggled brand of laundry soaps was Sabao. Cartons, tens of bars of this soap, 7 bags of wheat flour and 16 gallons of cooking oil were seized as they did not have any clearance documents,” Mlowoka said.
Some of the trading centres involved were Tengani, Mbenje, Marka, Nsanje, Bangula, Sorgin, Ngabu, Nchalo, Dyeratu, Chiringa, Migowi, Phalombe, Limbuli, Nkando, Chitakale, Thunga, Luchenza, Bvumbwe, Limbe and Thyolo.
Mlowoka said such enforcement exercises protect local industries from external forces and send a strong message to smugglers to deter the malpractice.
BY HENRY MCHAZIME