Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
AN Inter Africa Bus crew and a passenger were on Tuesday night arrested after police in Chipinge intercepted their bus, and recovered more than 66 kilogrammes of dagga hidden in fuel compartments and luggage bags.
Another 25-year-old woman was also arrested after she was found in possession of more than seven kilogrammes of dagga at a police roadblock in Middle Sabi.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incidents, saying the arrests followed anonymous tip-offs received by the district crack team.
He confirmed the arrest of the bus driver, Abraham Marakia (62), conductor, Judah Gondo (27), and Nyasha Jojo who was a passenger on the Harare-bound bus.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka also confirmed the arrest of Delight Sithole, of Madhuku Village under Chief Musikavanhu, after being intercepted by police while aboard a Lioness truck from Manzvire to Tanganda.
“The swift deployment of officers led to the interception of the bus (Registration Number AGL6164), at Ratings Turn-off along the Ngundu–Tanganda Highway around 11.30pm. The police searched the bus, and recovered 10 compressed and wrapped plastic packs of dagga in a black big bag, and two more in a satchel bag. Gondo claimed ownership of the dagga and attempted to bribe the officers to allow the bus to proceed, but the team refused,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, adding that the search did not end there as the officers ordered Marakia, to unlock two compartments attached to the fuel tanks.
“Inside, they discovered 13 compressed packs of dagga in the right tank, seven in the left, and one more hidden in the dashboard near the steering wheel. The bus was escorted to Middle Sabi Police Station for further checks, where Gondo implicated Jojo, as the owner of some of the contraband.
“Jojo admitted owning the satchel bag containing two dagga packs, but denied responsibility for the larger bag. All the three were arrested for unlawful possession of dagga in violation of Section 157 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. The recovered dagga was later weighed at ZIMPOST, and it totalled 66,45kgs. Both the contraband and the three suspects were handed over to CID Chipinge for further investigations,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka warned transport operators against abusing public service vehicles for criminal activities.
“Public transport must be a safe mode of travel, not a tool for trafficking dangerous substances. Those who involve themselves in drug transportation will face the full wrath of the law,” he said. In the other incident, Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said police in Middle Sabi received a tip-off that a female passenger had boarded a truck, carrying bags with dagga.
“Police immediately mounted a roadblock at the 255km peg along the Ngundu-Tanganda Highway as part of the ongoing operation code-named: ‘No to Illegal Guns, Toy Guns and Dangerous Weapons’,” he said, adding that when the truck was stopped and searched, officers discovered a black satchel and blue travelling bag stashed with three plastic bags of dagga.
“The truck driver, Ellington Shoko (39), told the police that the luggage belonged to Sithole, who had boarded it at Manzvire Bus Stop. Sithole was arrested on the spot. The recovered dagga was later weighed at Chibuwe Post Office, and had a total mass of 7,275kg. The case is under investigation,” he said.
He further urged communities to stay alert and continue cooperating with the police.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka further warned that the police will continue to intensify their operations against drug and substance abuse, which has become a major social problem in the province.
“The fight against drugs is one of our top priorities as a province. We have intensified roadblocks, surveillance, and intelligence-led operations to deal with both drug trafficking and smuggling. Offenders will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
He appealed to the public to remain vigilant and continue supplying police with information that can help in flushing out drug peddlers and traffickers.
He also urged parents and guardians to play their part in curbing the drug menace.
“Drug and substance abuse is destroying the lives of many young people. We are appealing to parents, schools and communities to guide their children, monitor their behaviour, and work with us to stop this problem before it destroys more lives. Together, we can protect our communities from the dangers of drug and substance abuse,” he added.
