ZANZIBAR Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Authority (ZAECA) yesterday brought six people before High Court of Zanzibar in Chake Chake, Pemba, charged with clove smuggling offences.

The accused, all residents of Wambaa in Pemba, are Yusuf Mohamed Juma (26), Omar Haji Nassor (32), Kombo Juma Haji (28), Hamad Rajab Juma (30), Haji Issa Haji (48) and Abeid Suleiman Ali (48).

While reading the charges, State Attorney Juma Ali Juma from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)’s office told Judge Salum Hassan Bakar that the accused committed the offense on November 13, 2023, at around 10:00am in the islands of Yambo and Sahare in Tanga Region.

It was alleged that the accused were caught with 1,534.5 kilogrammes of dried cloves worth 20,047,750/-, knowingly committing the illegal act.

As per the charges, on November 13, 2023, the accused, as captains and crew of a boat christened ‘Yenye Wapewe Wao,’ were engaged in smuggling activities in the Indian Ocean, transporting 1,534.5 kilogrammes of dried cloves from Pemba Island to Tanga.

The action is against Section 58 (1) and (2) of Zanzibar’s Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and Sections 3 and 25 of the Special Anti-Smuggling Unit Act, the court heard.

The accused denied the charges and the court released them on bail with conditions that each to provide a bond of 4,000,000/- and two guarantors who must also provide a bond of 4,000,000/- along with identity card.

Judge Bakar adjourned the case September 19, this year for another mention.