Bulawayo couple in jail for ‘huge’ cocaine, mbanje stash

A BULAWAYO couple believed to be part of an organised drug-dealing syndicate operating in the city has been arrested and remanded in custody after appearing in court on charges of dealing in dangerous drugs.

Darian-Lee Kevin Lloyd Jackson (31) and Lakin Lee Robinson (32), both from West Somerton suburb, were arrested last week after police found drugs with an estimated street value of ZWG$405,400 and US$8,000 in their possession.

The pair yesterday appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira, who remanded them in custody to August 4 pending further investigations.

Prosecuting, Mr Jethro Mada told the court that on July 18 at around 10PM, detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit received a tip-off that the couple was distributing cocaine and dagga in and around the city centre using a white vehicle with registration plates AF16049.

“Acting on the information, detectives mounted surveillance in the CBD. They identified the vehicle with the two accused persons inside and approached them. After introducing themselves, they searched the vehicle and recovered four sachets of cocaine weighing five grams, 10 sachets of dagga, 10 sachets of cannabis gummies, and three sachets of cannabis-laced sweets stashed in various compartments,” said Mr Mada.

Following the arrest, a further search was conducted at the couple’s home, where police recovered a large cache of drugs, including 41 sachets of dagga weighing 4,1kg, five sachets of prepared dagga cigarettes, two 20-litre buckets full of loose dagga and cannabis gummies and sweets.

In total, police seized approximately 9kg of dagga and 3,6g of cocaine. The dagga had an estimated street value of ZWG$240,000 while the cocaine was valued at ZWG$165,400.

Mr Mada said the couple allegedly packaged the drugs into edible forms such as confectionery laced with cannabis for distribution.
Represented by Mr Tinashe Tashaya of Sengweni Legal Practice, the accused alleged they were assaulted during their arrest.

“This is their first court appearance since their arrest. They are not yet in a position to plead, as the matter is still being handled under Form 424,” said Mr Tashaya.

The arrest comes just weeks after convicted drug dealer and socialite Gary Bell was jailed for a year, as police intensify the crackdown on the illicit drug trade.

**Some of the drugs packaged as sweets that were being sold by the couple**

In an interview, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the fight against drugs continues to be the top priority, with police making breakthroughs in disrupting trafficking networks.

“We are focused on dismantling these networks that are not only bringing drugs into our communities but are also perpetuating a cycle of addiction and crime,” he said.

Comm Nyathi said recent operations have resulted in multiple arrests, with police intercepting buses, haulage trucks and raiding homes linked to drug activity. Several types of narcotics have been confiscated.

He warned transport operators against facilitating smuggling, saying those caught will face the full wrath of the law.

“The fight is ongoing and we are stepping up enforcement efforts. We urge the public to report any suspicious activity as we work to eliminate this threat to our society,” he said.