Anti-Smuggling Police Intercept 17,500Kg of DRC-Bound Mealie Meal

The Anti-Smuggling Taskforce of Ndola District has intercepted a Scania cargo truck carrying 700 25kg bags of mealie meal that were heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Peacewell Mweemba, the Commanding Officer of Copperbelt police, said that the truck, carrying 700 different brands of mealie meal, was apprehended on Kambowa road, Masaiti District.

Mr. Mweemba revealed that the Anti-Smuggling Team received a tip-off during a Sunday patrol that a group was intending to smuggle a large quantity of mealie meal into the DRC using Kambowa road.

On Sunday evening, 6 August, during patrols that were expanded in response to the tip-off, the truck was abandoned by those onboard as the police approached. The anti-smuggling team inspected the abandoned truck, discovered its contraband and drove it to Ndola Central police station.

The mealie meal will be disposed of through the courts of law, said Mr. Mweemba, and that the anti-smuggling team will identify the truck’s owner through the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RATSA) to establish whether the truck was stolen or was driven by its owner.