Maputo authorities dismantle illegal drug manufacturing facility

Law enforcement agencies in Maputo, Mozambique, have dismantled an illegal drug manufacturing facility located within a residential property in the Magoanine B neighborhood. The operation, involving the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) and the Mozambique Republic Police (PRM), resulted in the seizure of various chemicals, including acids, and equipment used for processing and packaging illicit substances.

A 40-year-old Mozambican man, the tenant of the property, was detained. He claimed the materials belonged to an acquaintance in South Africa who had asked him to store them. Investigators are looking into the potential involvement of other individuals, including two Nigerian nationals.

This operation follows reports from the Ministry of Health indicating a significant rise in drug-related issues, noting a 58% increase in patients treated for mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance consumption compared to the previous year.