Drug lord jailed

Gary Bell

PROMINENT Bulawayo socialite Gary Bell (42), who was arrested in a dramatic Valentine’s Day drug bust earlier this year, has been sentenced to an effective one year in prison after being convicted of drug dealing.

Bell of Burnside suburb, was convicted by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza on Monday and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, with six months suspended on condition of good behaviour.

The high-profile case attracted public interest after detectives from the Harare CID Drugs and Narcotics Section swooped on Bell following a tip-off that he was allegedly supplying cocaine at The Smokehouse, a popular upmarket nightclub in Bulawayo.

According to the State, on February 14 at around 6AM, detectives received information suggesting Bell was dealing in drugs. They launched a surveillance operation which led to his arrest shortly after midnight on February 15, as he arrived at the venue driving a silver Toyota double cab (registration AFX 2911).

The prosecutor Mr Dominic Moyo told the court that a search at Bell’s Burnside home yielded further evidence. A sachet containing a white powdery substance was discovered hidden inside a blue jewellery box placed in a built-in wardrobe in his bedroom.

Officers also seized two digital weighing scales and several razor blades stained with a similar substance, often used for cutting and packaging drugs.

Preliminary tests confirmed the substances were cocaine and ecstasy. The cocaine weighed about six grams and had an estimated street value of US$480, while the ecstasy tablets were valued at US$60.

Bell, who had been out on bail pending trial, was represented by Mr Shepherd Chamunorwa of Calderwood, Bryce Hendrie and Partners.

He denied the charges, insisting the drugs were planted by officers who allegedly violated legal procedures during the search.

In his bail application, Bell had argued that his detention was unlawful and claimed one of the arresting officers commandeered his vehicle and conducted an illegal search at his home.

However, the court found the State had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the socialite’s conviction and custodial sentence.