Mozambique: Authorities seize 53 tonnes of semi-precious stones being illegally exported

The Mozambican authorities have seized 53 tonnes of semi-precious stones in two trucks in Nampula, northern Mozambique, which were being illegally exported, an official source told Lusa on Monday.

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 trucks the exporters used false documents, Felito Tawala, the provincial head of the Nampula customs service, told Lusa.

The stones are tourmaline, garnet, quartz and beryl,  whose final destination was 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,” as their situation “was not good”.

During the final verification process for export, “it was realised that the documents were false because the unit responsible for issuing them did not recognise them,” and therefore “the entire operation became ineffective”, said Tawala.

The director of customs in Nampula said that the exporters’ case was being finalised so that it could be sent to the public prosecutor’s office.

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

Copyright © Club of Mozambique, 17 May 2022 à Maputo en Mozambique.

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