Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
POLICE in Beitbridge have arrested 913 people for drug-related offences between January and October this year, with 723 already convicted and serving various sentences.
The arrests come as authorities intensify efforts to curb drug and substance abuse, with police also recovering marijuana worth US$33 826 and restricted or unregistered medicines valued at US$60 529 during the period.
Chairperson of the Beitbridge Supply Reduction Pillar under the national fight against drugs and substance abuse, Detective Assistant Inspector Netty Mutsengi, who is the Member-In-Charge of Drugs and Narcotics, revealed the figures while briefing a delegation from the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland South.
The delegation was led by Acting Director of Coordination Ms Sikhangezile Ndlovu.
Det Asst Insp Mutsengi said the arrests were made in the Tuli, Zezani, Beitbridge Urban and Beitbridge Rural policing areas, with other cases still pending before the courts.
She said police were deploying baggage and cargo scanners, drone technology, the canine section and intelligence-led operations to detect and intercept contraband within Beitbridge town and along the border with South Africa.
“Investigations reveal that most of the contraband is destined for other towns in the country, with a small fraction being consumed locally,” she said.
Det Asst Insp Mutsengi said intercepting hard drugs remained a challenge because traffickers often transported them in small quantities concealed in carry-on luggage.
Police were working with other stations and relying on information from members of the community to identify suspects and disrupt trafficking networks.
She said some syndicates were using buses to transport contraband, while in other cases drugs were intercepted in possession of third parties, requiring investigators to track down the intended recipients.
“Collaboration with other players has contributed to some major interceptions,” she said.
Beyond enforcement, police have stepped up awareness campaigns to address drug and substance abuse at community level.
Det Asst Insp Mutsengi said at least 54 awareness campaigns had been conducted across Beitbridge’s 21 wards so far.
The Government has declared drug and substance abuse a national scourge and is implementing a multi-sectoral approach to curb the supply of illicit substances and reduce demand.
