Mozambican authorities have seized 573 kilograms (1,263 pounds) of cocaine from an Indian cargo ship, marking a significant drug bust in the country. The operation, carried out by the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), uncovered the illicit drugs concealed in 2,025-liter drums within a container of construction materials.
The cocaine shipment was discovered after authorities received a tip-off about suspicious cargo aboard the vessel, which had docked in Mozambique on November 3. SERNIC spokesperson Hilario Lole confirmed that laboratory tests on the substance revealed it to be cocaine.
“We have launched an investigation to identify the owners of the shipment and determine the drugs’ final destination,” Lole said, adding that no arrests have been made at this time.
Mozambique has increasingly become a transit point for international drug traffickers, with the country’s strategic location making it a key hub for narcotics bound for markets across the globe. Despite ongoing efforts to curb the trade, the flow of illegal drugs through the country remains a significant concern.
In 2023, Mozambique’s authorities confiscated over 2.5 tons of various drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and cannabis, underscoring the growing scale of drug trafficking in the region.
