Mozambique: Police Commander Arrested for Illegal Mining

By Alberto Massango

Maputo — The Police commander of Chinde District, in the central Mozambican province of Zambezia, has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the illegal mining of tantalite.

According to Belarmina Henriques, Police spokesperson in Zambezia, the arrest which took place in Mocuba district was ordered by the Attorney General's Office (PGR). He was arrested alongside two foreign nationals, a Portuguese man and a Chinese man.

"The force has already assembled an investigative team to visit the site and determine the circumstances leading to the officer's arrest, as well as the extent of the senior police officer's possible involvement in the events under investigation", she said.

"The commander and his two accomplices are suspected of criminal conspiracy, illegal exploitation of mineral resources, and aggravated theft", she added.

Also in Zambézia, the country's National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) arrested four individuals involved in criminal activities. The alleged criminals, who carried out their activities using firearms, used to terrify districts of the central provinces Zambézia and Tete, and the northern province of Niassa.

Also in the Mocuba district of Zambézia province, the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) arrested four Mozambican nationals allegedly involved in criminal activities involving the use of firearms.

"They used to carry out robberies targeting homes and commercial establishments. The other members of the gang remain at large, while those detained deny the charges", said Domingos Borrone, SERNIC spokesperson in Zambézia.

Read the original article on AIM.

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