Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
SECURITY authorities in Beitbridge have arrested two more individuals for drug peddling and transportation offenses as the crackdown on the smuggling and selling of drugs and related products continues.
Recently, police have intensified efforts to apprehend those involved in smuggling drugs from neighboring countries, transporting, and selling them, as drug abuse becomes a growing national concern.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said on Monday that detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics unit in Beitbridge acted on received information and arrested Arron Moyo (32) for unlawful possession of contraband Broncleer Cough Syrup. The suspect was found aboard a cross-border bus.
In a related incident, another suspect, truck driver Chenjerai Mushonga from Maidavale farm, Guruve, employed by South African company Transmech Logistics, was intercepted at the Bubi security checkpoint along the Beitbridge to Masvingo road on Thursday morning around 6 a.m.
He was driving a truck loaded with illicit drug products, including 60 boxes of 50 × 100ml Broncleer syrup, 24 boxes of 48 × 100ml Benyln cough syrup, and 79 boxes of 30 × 100ml Astra Pain drugs.
The two suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
As the government intensifies its fight against drugs, the ZRP has established Drugs and Narcotics units at key border posts to curb the inflow of illegal drugs into the country. These units have been deployed at Beitbridge, Victoria Falls, Chirundu, and Mutare border posts.
This development aligns with the objectives of the inter-ministerial task force on drugs and substance abuse, which covers various pillars including supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, psycho-social support, community reintegration, and media and information.
Some of the commonly abused drugs in Zimbabwe include Codeine; Methamphetamine (crystal meth, also known as meth, speed, mutoriro, chalk, ice, crank, guka); Glue; Broncleer (Bronco); Solvents such as Fembo and Genkem; Chlorpromazine (Maragado); Mangemba; Cane spirit; Cocaine; and Cannabis/Marijuana/Mbanje, among others.
