Mozambican navy intercepts 1.5 tonnes of heroin

Mozambican authorities have detained 12 Iranians thought to be shipping drugs off the coast of the northern province of Cabo Delgado. 

The boat was intercepted on Saturday, about 50km from the Mozambican coast. The joint operation was carried out by the Mozambican navy and the National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic). 

The occupants of the vessel, all Iranian nationals, are said to have set the boat on fire shortly before their arrest. Police estimate that the fire destroyed approximately 1.5 tonnes of heroin suspected to be on board. 

The smugglers then jumped from the ship into the Mozambique Channel.  Three died, while 12 were arrested by the navy and are being detained in the provincial capital of Pemba. 

According to local media, the operation was the result of intelligence gathered from various Mozambican agencies involved in the fight against drug trafficking. 

An estimated 1,500kg of heroin is smuggled into Mozambique each month. Some is used locally but much is believed to be transported through Mozambique to South Africa. Sernic has claimed some recent successes in the fight against trafficking, incinerating half a tonne of drugs seized in Maputo since June 2018. 

Photo credit: Club of Mozambique (Twitter)