In a significant anti-smuggling operation, Burundian marines seized 357 contraband wraps and 50 kilograms of cannabis late Wednesday night near the Dama River on Lake Tanganyika, according to military sources cited by local radio station Izere FM. The operation, conducted in Rumonge, a southern province in Burundi, led to the arrest of two men believed to have transported the goods from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The suspects, accused of smuggling and narcotics trafficking, were handed over to local police in Rumonge for further investigation, while the seized goods were transferred to the Burundian Revenue Authority (OBR) for processing.
Administrative officials in Rumonge have praised the marines for their swift action, emphasizing the fight against fraud and illegal trade in the region. “This seizure is a testament to the vigilance of our security forces. We urge the population to abandon fraudulent practices that harm our country,” a local official said.
The incident highlights the persistent issue of contraband trafficking via Lake Tanganyika. In July 2020, a similar operation resulted in the confiscation of 1,160 wraps in Gakungwe, Kabezi commune, Bujumbura Province. The goods were intercepted aboard a suspicious boat at night.
OBR has previously pointed to alleged collusion between certain security agents and administrative officials in facilitating smuggling activities. These challenges are not limited to Lake Tanganyika but extend to other border areas of Burundi.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on illegal activities and securing the country’s borders against contraband and narcotics.
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