Trending: Immigration and Police Officers turned down K80,000 bribe from suspected smuggler
Immigration and Police Officers turned down K80,000 bribe from suspected smuggler
Police and Immigration officers yesterday turned down K80,000 bribe from a suspected smuggler after he was apprehended during a joint operation conducted in Missisi and Matero East.
This follows an operation in which the Zambia Police and the Department of Immigration apprehended 16 Ethiopians and four Zambians after a tip-off from members of the public.
In a joint statement by Police and Immigration spokespersons Rae Hamoonga and Namati Nshinka, the Joint-team initially apprehended seven Ethiopians and two Zambians, Edward Mutale 28 and Rodwell Bwalya 36, at a named guest house in Misisi Compound.
“At the time of their interception, the group was in a Mitsubishi Pajero registration number AID 3756 and a Toyota Allion registration number BAB 7251. From the conversation between Edward Mutale and an unidentified person in Zimbabwe, they were set to leave the Guest House for Zimbabwe and finally to South Africa. However, further investigations led the team to another group of nine Ethiopians and two Zambians, Boston Bwalya 30 and Bornface Nyirenda 59 at Heroes Stadium. They were waiting for further instructions from Edward Mutale. The second group was in a Toyota Regius registration number BAB 5281,” reads the statement.
However, upon realizing the gravity of his situation, Edward Mutale offered the officers K 80,000 to release him but to no avail.
Mr Hamoonga and Mr Nshinka said 16 suspects are currently detained at the Lusaka Central Police Station, while the three vehicles have been impounded.
“The Ethiopians were in the hands of a highly coordinated syndicate because the suspected smugglers meticulously planned their transportation. Had it not been for the accurate information received from members of the public, they would have probably successfully transported them to their intended destination. We will continue to work closely with each other and, most importantly, with members of the public to detect and disrupt criminal efforts,” reads the statement.
Credit: Nkani
