Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku and Thupeyo Muleya, Zimpapers Writers
A BULAWAYO woman has appeared in court after she was allegedly caught selling dagga and Benylin cough syrup with a combined street value of ZWG111 650, as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on drug and substance abuse.
Tracy Papayi (30) of Queenspark West suburb appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira facing charges of unlawful possession of dangerous drugs as defined in Section 157(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) and unlawful possession of prescription preparations in contravention of Section 73(1)(a) of the same Act.
She was remanded in custody to February 19 and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Prosecuting, Ms Mufaro Ndirayire told the court that on February 3, shortly after 4PM, detectives from the ZRP drugs and narcotics section received a tip-off that Papayi was peddling drugs in Bulawayo’s city centre.
“The detectives proceeded to the location and found the accused seated on a container. They searched her and recovered 253 sachets of dagga, leading to her arrest,” said Ms Ndirayire.
The recovered dagga was taken to the Bulawayo Main Post Office where it was weighed and recorded at 1,9 kilogrammes.
On the following day, detectives allegedly received another tip-off that Papayi was selling Benylin cough syrup from her home.
The detectives proceeded to her residence and searched her bedroom, where they recovered 31 bottles of 100ml Benylin cough syrup. The bottles were examined by a pharmacist and it was established that they contained 10 milligrammes of codeine phosphate.
“The recovered syrup has a street value of ZWG54 000. The accused did not have a licence or permit to possess prescription preparation medicine,” said the prosecutor.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), working with other security agencies at Beitbridge Border Post, intercepted a consignment of 800 bottles of BronCleer (commonly known as Bronco) cough syrup that had been smuggled from South Africa.
The contraband, concealed in 20-litre containers, was intercepted at the light cross-border transporters’ search bay.
In a statement on Wednesday, Zimra said the illegal consignment was destined for unlawful distribution, posing a serious threat to public health and community safety.
“Zimra officers have intercepted approximately 800 bottles of BronCleer cough syrup at Beitbridge Border Post. The illegal consignment was destined for unlawful distribution, posing a serious threat to public health and community safety. Protecting civil society is at the core of Zimra’s mandate,” read part of the statement.
“We will not allow Zimbabwe to become either a destination or a transit route for illegal drugs and harmful substances.”
Zimra said it will continue enhanced surveillance, intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies to safeguard the nation.
BronCleer is banned in Zimbabwe due to widespread abuse, particularly among young people. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has prohibited its importation and distribution as it is not registered for sale in the country and is classified as an unregistered opioid-containing medicine.
In response to rising cases of drug and substance smuggling, the Government has established four ZRP drugs and narcotics units at Beitbridge, Victoria Falls, Chirundu and Forbes border posts.
Authorities are also deploying new technologies, including drones, alongside traditional surveillance methods to curb the trafficking of drugs across the country’s borders.
