Couple caught with Bronco boxes

Mildred Sithole, Midlands Reporter

POLICE in Gweru have arrested three illegal drug dealers after they found them in possession of the banned Broncleer cough syrup worth $36 375 which is usually abused by youths.

Sarah Shopera (36), who resides in Mkoba 2 in Gweru was found with five-and-a-half boxes containing 275 x 100ml bottles of unregistered Broncleer cough syrup worth $23 375, while Agness Phiri (35) and Friday Bidi (40) a couple from Mtapa suburb in Gweru were found with 153 x 100ml bottles of the cough syrup worth $13 000.

The trio appeared separately before Gweru magistrate, Mr Edwin Marecha, facing charges of illegal possession of unregistered medicines in violation of the Medicine and Allied Substances Control Act. They were remanded out of custody to 25 March on $300 bail each. As part of the bail conditions, the trio was ordered to reside at their given address, report to their nearest police station every fortnight and not interfere with State witnesses.

Prosecuting, Ms Constance Madzudzu said on 10 March detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics in Gweru received a tip-off that Shopera was illegally dealing in drugs at Kudzanai Bus Terminus.

“Armed with information a team of detectives which was pursuing on Shopera proceeded to Kudzanai Bus Terminus and spotted Shopera’s motor vehicle, a Toyota wish. Detectives approached the motor vehicle leading to the recovery and seizure of two boxes all containing 100 x 100ml of Broncleer cough syrup,” said Ms Madzudzu.

Shopera was arrested and she voluntarily led detectives to her place of residence where a further search was conducted leading to the recovery of three-and-a-half boxes all containing 17 x 100ml of Broncleer cough syrup. Shopera revealed her accomplices Phiri and Bidi who were also arrested on charges of dispensing the unregistered cough syrup.

“Detectives approached Phiri and Bidi’s place of residence where a search was conducted and 153 x 100ml bottles of Broncleer cough syrup were recovered from their bedroom and Bidi was found with a bottle of ‘bronco’ in his trousers’ right pocket,” added Ms Madzudzu.

The couple was then arrested. Gweru is battling a growing drug menace with residents particularly worried about the rise in cases of drug addiction among youths.