Mozambique Customs seized 53 tons of semi-precious stones in two trucks in Nampula, which were being illegally exported.

An official source told Lusa, that the first truck, with 28 tons of minerals, was seized in the last week of April and the second, with 25 tons, was seized on Friday and in both exporters were using false documents, Felito Tawala, provincial customs director in Nampula, told Lusa.

These are tourmaline, garnet, quartz and beryl, which were destined for China.

According to the official, by law exporters are required to present their tax situation before any operation, but the operators in question "forged the documents that prove their fiscal good standing" because their situation "was not good.

In the final verification process for export "it was realized that the documents were false because the unit responsible for issuing them did not recognize them" and, therefore, "the whole process became ineffective," said Felito Tawala.

The director of customs in Nampula said that the exporters' process is being concluded in order to be sent to the Public Ministry.

According to the official, this is the first seizure of semi-precious stones to occur this year.