Beitbridge — Police have arrested a 41-year-old man and seized 48 boxes of smuggled drugs worth US$12,000 at the Beitbridge Border Post, after the illicit consignment was found concealed in washing powder cartons.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the arrest of Venancio Muchazondida on Saturday, following a routine inspection that uncovered the drugs wrapped in black plastic and hidden inside Maq washing powder cardboard boxes.

“The drugs and substance were deceitfully concealed in Maq washing powder cardboard boxes and wrapped with black plastics to evade detection at the border,” the ZRP said in a statement.

Officers also impounded a Nissan Elgrant vehicle, registration number ADG 3066, which the suspect allegedly used as a conduit to smuggle the narcotics across the border.

The bust comes as authorities intensify efforts to curb cross-border drug trafficking, which has increasingly targeted major ports of entry like Beitbridge, the country’s busiest land border post.

“The police also confiscated a Nissan Elgrant vehicle, registration number ADG 3066 used as a conduit to smuggle the drugs,” the statement added.

Muchazondida is expected to appear in court soon on charges of smuggling and unlawful possession of dangerous drugs. Police did not disclose the specific type of substances recovered.

“No to drug and substance peddling and trafficking,” the ZRP reiterated, warning that law enforcement would remain vigilant against all forms of smuggling.