The Mozambican National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) has arrested five individuals in the popular tourist destination of Vilanculos, in the southern province of Inhambane, on charges of drug trafficking.
According to official reports, the operation resulted in the seizure of 10 kilograms of cannabis, locally known as “suruma.” Alceres Cuamba, the spokesperson for Sernic in Inhambane, confirmed that the suspects were apprehended in a luxury residence that authorities believe was being utilized as a central hub for the storage and distribution of narcotics.
Following their arrest, the detainees reportedly confessed to their involvement in the illicit operation, providing law enforcement with insights into a wider trafficking network. Preliminary investigations indicate that the drugs were being supplied from the Zavala district and the neighboring country of Eswatini.
The seizure is a significant development in “Operação Boca de Fumo,” an ongoing strategic initiative launched by regional authorities to disrupt the flow of narcotics and suppress the consumption and sale of illegal substances within the Inhambane province, which is increasingly identified as a transit corridor for drug trafficking in southern Mozambique.
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The police have stated that active efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other suspects linked to the criminal network.
Furthermore, authorities are working through legal channels to secure the reversal of the seized luxury property in favor of the State, as part of the broader effort to dismantle the infrastructure supporting the local drug trade. Sernic continues to emphasize its commitment to “stanching” the sources of drug activity in the region, noting that the investigation remains ongoing as they track down the larger supply chain connected to these arrests.
