Police have arrested eight people and recovered large quantities of dagga and unregistered medicines in a series of raids targeting drug peddling in Harare.
In a statement issued on 4 June, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police have intensified “intelligence-driven operations” against drug and substance abuse nationwide.
The latest blitz began on 26 May in Dzivarasekwa Extension, where officers arrested Sekai Katsande, 29. Police recovered dagga packed in small plastic sachets, concealed in a black bag hidden in her wardrobe.
The team then moved to Crowborough North, where Amos Makwezwa, 39, Lloyd Savanhu, 39, and Bannah Dandara, 29, were arrested for unlawful possession of dagga. Officers seized loose dagga and prepared rolls from the suspects.
Acting on a tip-off on 27 May, police arrested Tinashe Chitsva, 30, at Tanaka Shops in Glen View. He was allegedly selling dagga from a broken-down Toyota Hiace. The raid yielded 61 sachets of dagga, a 20-litre bucket of dagga, 26 bottles of Broncleer cough syrup, 129 bottles of Astra Pain Syrup and 129 bottles of Benylin syrup.
On 29 May, three more suspects — Anusa Jack, 39, Tatenda Makuyana, 38, and Munashe Sekeramai, 24 — were arrested at Overspill Shopping Centre in Epworth. Police recovered dagga, 73 prepared rolls, and bottles of Broncleer, Novalyn and Benylin cough syrup.
Cough syrups such as Broncleer and Benylin are commonly abused for their codeine content.
Nyathi said the fight against drug and substance abuse “remains a top priority”.
“The police will continue conducting intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and bringing offenders to justice,” Nyathi said.
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