MOZ GOVT ENMESHED IN DRUG BUST

MOZAMBIQUE’s government allegedly owns 20% of the Plasmex plastic pipe factory in Matola in Mozambique, where a bi-national police team made Africa’s largest ever mandrax bust last week. The raid by a joint South African/Mozambican police team netted over 300kg methaqualone power meant for the manufacture of at least 30-million mandrax tablets worth an estimated R900-million. Three Mozambicans and two other unnamed workers were arrested during the February 12 raid. Plasmex was previously operated by the State as Emplama and was privatised as part of Mozambique’s drive to liberalise its socialist economy. The government retains a shareholding of 20%.