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The Zambia Police Service in Chililabombwe has intercepted a smuggling syndicate involving 460 25 kilogram bags of mealie meal and 300 bags of maize into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The police have since impounded nine motor vehicles, six of which have been abandoned by the drivers who are on the run.
Police have also impounded three unregistered transit vehicles en route to the DRC for attempting to use an undesignated route to evade tax payment from authorities in that country.
Chililabombwe district commissioner Stuart Chitumbo told ZANIS in an interview that the impounded vehicles that attempted to smuggle mealie meal included three mini buses and six saloon vehicles.
Mr Chitumbo said the impounded vehicles are currently packed at Chililabombwe police station.
Mr Chitumbo said the vehicles had carried more than 460 bags of mealie meal and that three drivers were currently appearing before the Chililabombwe magistrates court while six others are on the run.
He said over 300 bags of maize have also been intercepted and that six cases regarding the consignment are currently active in the courts of law while four cases have been disposed off with convictions secured.
Mr Chitumbo said the three unregistered transit vehicles were intercepted along the peri unban parts of Chililabombwe as they attempted to cross the border via the closed Tshensenda border post.
The vehicles, which are also packed at the Police station, include a Toyota Hiace, Isuzu Wizard and a BMW.
Mr Chitumbo further said that Police had also arrested nine congolese nationals for maize smuggling using bicycles and they are remanded in custody pending court appearance.
Government has slapped a ban on maize exports while export permits are being issued on mealie meal.
