Crackdown on drug dealers intensifies
POLICE led by the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit have intensified their crackdown on drug dealers and paddlers countrywide, clocking up arrests, seizing drugs and finding that some of those arrested were also in illegal possession of fi rearms and ammunition.
Since last month, police have recovered a range of drugs after raiding the dealers and paddlers.
Last Friday, police arrested a 22-yearold man in Harare for being in unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition before recovered 2kg of mbanje worth $1,4 million.
Conna Edwards was arrested after police raided his house in the city.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the detectives from the CID, Drugs and Narcotics in Harare acted on a tip-off and arrested Edwards for unlawful possession of a Browning 12 gauge shotgun and 30 cartridges as well as 2 kg of mbanje with a street value of $1 400 000.
“Th e same day detectives from CID, Drugs and Narcotics, Harare, arrested Memory Mushayi aged 36 for unlawful possession of 1.21g of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of $10 400,” he said.
On October 28, detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics in Beitbridge swift ly reacted to a tip–off and arrested Dumisani Bweriniga (38) for unlawful possession of gof crystal methamphetamine with a street value of $8 000.
The next day, detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics in Harare acting on information and arrested Devine Sena (37) at a house in Helensvale for illegal dealing in dangerous drugs and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The suspect was found in possession of 10g of cocaine and a Llama pistol.
Police in Beitbridge arrested a 15-yearold boy after he was found in possession of 200g of mbanje at Beitbridge Border Post.
A number of drug paddlers and smugglers have been arrested countrywide as police intensify the fi ght against such people.
Some of the people were arrested at airports and others at various places countrywide after raids were carried out.
Last month, police in Beitbridge swiftly reacted to a tipoff and arrested Dumisani Bweriniga ( 38) for unlawful possession of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of $8 000.
Zimbabwe appears to have been selected by a drug gang as a convenient conduit to take heroin to India, a selection that has led to a string of couriers being arrested as they pass through.
Recently, a 61- year- old foreigner was arrested at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on allegations of trying to smuggle 7,7kg of heroin to India.
The suspect, Gowada Nabin Chandra, had intended to board an Ethiopian Airline’s flight when he was searched at the airport leading to the recovery of the dangerous drugs.
Another 27-year-old foreign national was arrested at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport after he attempted to smuggle about 8,7kg of heroin to India.
The suspect, Vitalijs Kudrjasovs, was arrested after his luggage was intercepted through x-ray scanning machines at the airport. Security agents then searched the luggage and discovered that Kudrjasovs had concealed the heroin in the lining, leading to his arrest.
In an effort to stop drug trafficking and drug abuse, the CID drugs and Narcotics squad are always on high alert and working tirelessly to reduce drug supply through raids at the ports of entry and on haulage trucks transporting the drugs.