Beitbridge – A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) sniffer dog helped intercept seven pistols and 170 rounds of 9mm blank ammunition concealed aboard a bus travelling from South Africa to Bulawayo at Beitbridge Border Post.

The ZIMRA said the weapons and ammunition were discovered at around 3am on Friday during a routine canine search at the border’s northbound bus terminal.

The detector dog, identified as Poncho, alerted officers to a suspicious area beneath the first row of passenger seats, behind the driver’s seat.

A subsequent search uncovered two parcels wrapped in black plastic and brown adhesive tape, containing seven black pistols and 170 rounds of 9mm blank ammunition.

The bus driver reportedly admitted receiving the parcels in South Africa for delivery in Bulawayo but claimed he did not know what they contained. He was subsequently taken into police custody.

ZIMRA said the seized items were valued at R21 400, equivalent to approximately US$1 250, and were confiscated under Notice of Seizure 047464L dated November 6, 2026.

The authority said the interception highlighted the role played by its canine unit in detecting