Seven defendants, five of whom are Mozambican nationals and the rest foreigners, will appear in court accused of trafficking and other illegal activities.

According to a statement from the Central Office for Combating Organized and Transnational Crime (GCCCOT), the defendants are also accused of misuse of equipment, material and precursors, criminal association and money laundering.

The investigation revealed that the accused are part of a criminal group dedicated to the illicit practice of producing, storing, handling, dosing and selling narcotics.

The accused were arrested on June 22, 2022, in the act by the police authorities at a residence in Bairro do Infulene, Maputo Province, which was used as a factory for the production of methaqualone (Mandrax).

In their criminal activities, the group trafficked drugs between Mozambique and other countries, especially the Republic of South Africa. With the money from drug trafficking, the defendants acquired immovable and movable property, including houses, vehicles, semi-trailers and other properties.

In connection with the facts, nine (9) luxury homes were seized in prime areas of Maputo City and Province, one (1) plot for the construction of a shopping center in Maputo Province; twenty-seven (27) light and heavy vehicles; seven (7) semi-trailers; one (1) motorboat; two (2) jet-skis; four (4) motorcycles; one hundred and thirty-four (134) coolers; various pieces of equipment for drug production, among other assets, and the Central Asset Recovery Office is carrying out the appropriate financial and asset investigation.

An autonomous case has also been opened against other members of the group who are engaged in the same criminal activity. The Central Office for Combating Organized and Transnational Crime (GCCCOT) has already brought charges against the seven (7) defendants in pre-trial detention and referred them to the Maputo Provincial Court for further proceedings. (Letter)