Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike-Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has quietly activated a highly specialised anti-drug and substance abuse enforcement unit to combat the scourge amid growing concerns over the proliferation of dangerous narcotics and increasingly sophisticated trafficking syndicates operating across the country.
The special operations unit, comprising police and military officers, was constituted three weeks ago following a high-level joint security meeting involving intelligence arms of various law enforcement agencies.
It was at the meeting that authorities resolved to overhaul the country’s anti-drug enforcement architecture.
The fresh move came after disturbing intelligence reports indicated that some members within the previously designated anti-drug policing structures had allegedly become compromised.
They were also reportedly working in connivance with drug dealers and trafficking cartels, pocketing money in the process.
The newly-established crack unit, operating under tight secrecy, comprises highly trained officers seconded from elite departments within the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Its operations are intelligence-driven, swift and heavily coordinated, targeting kingpins, supply routes and networks believed to be fuelling drug abuse in both urban and rural communities.
Government is deeply concerned by the increasing availability of dangerous substances, including crystal meth, mbanje, broncleer and unregistered pharmaceuticals.
A very senior intelligence officer has confirmed the existence of the special operations unit.
He said significant breakthroughs have already been recorded within a short period of the crack unit’s existence.
“Yes, I can confirm that a special anti-drug and substance enforcement mechanism was activated following recommendations made during an inter-agency security review.
“The country is facing a dangerous and evolving drug problem that requires a new tactical approach.
“The unit is fully operational and comprises highly trained officers with specialised capabilities in surveillance, intelligence gathering, tactical response and covert operations.”
The high-ranking officer said investigations had revealed that powerful cartels had allegedly compromised some officers within previous enforcement structures.
He indicated that it became apparent during internal investigations that certain elements within structures that were expected to fight drug syndicates had become part of the networks and underhanded dealings.
“That is why authorities saw it fit to establish a fresh and highly monitored structure with strict accountability systems.
“This is not an ordinary deployment.
“The unit is fully oiled and properly resourced.
“It has mobility, technical support, surveillance equipment and operational backing necessary to confront sophisticated syndicates.”
Since its establishment, the unit has reportedly carried out numerous raids in the country’s major cities and entry points believed to be key transit points for illicit substances.
According to statistics drawn from the special unit’s records, 44 arrests linked to drug trafficking, unlawful possession and distribution of dangerous substances had already been made by yesterday.
Of those arrested, 14 suspects have since been convicted, while several major investigations are still ongoing.
A well-known Harare politician and suspected drug peddler have since gone into hiding, while another drug peddler, Norman Chabata of Marimba in Harare, is reportedly on the run.
Chabata’s close relatives — Cathrene Chembe (36), Loveness Phiri (43) and Loice Musakwa (36)— were arrested and taken to court facing two counts of drug related charges.
The matter is still pending.
In one of the most startling discoveries so far, the special unit recently uncovered a concealed drug storage base in Mbare, Harare where narcotics were allegedly hidden beneath a specially constructed underground pit.
Paul Mazinyane (37), Thelma Sorjen (25) and Prince Takaendisa (32)— all of Joburg Lines, Mbare, have been nabbed.
Investigations revealed that the pit is approximately two metres deep, 1,5 metres wide and has a circumference of about 1,5 metres.
The underground compartment had reportedly been carefully concealed beneath a dog kennel housing aggressive and vicious dog breeds believed to have been deliberately kept to deter possible raids or intrusions.
“Officers discovered that the suspects had become highly sophisticated.
“The drugs were hidden underground beneath a kennel occupied by dangerous dogs. It was clearly designed to intimidate or delay law enforcement officers during searches.”
Underneath the pit, the special crack unit recovered 294 x 100ml of Benylin with codeine, 50 x 100ml of Broncleer with codeine, 323 x 100ml Astra pain with 12,5 percent Alcohol, 33,565 kgs of loose dagga, 24,475 kgs of dagga seeds, 1300 packaging plastics, a blue electric sealer, a green digital scale, 96-page counter book for recording transactions relating to the sale of dangerous drugs.
They also recovered highly dangerous explosives.
The matter is before the courts.
“We are not only targeting street dealers. The thrust is to uproot the entire supply chain, including financiers, transporters, storage operators and corrupt facilitators.
“Operations are continuing and more arrests will be made.
“Those involved should know that the net is closing in.
“No one will be spared regardless of status or influence.”
Updating Cabinet a fortnight ago, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse and Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said the country is implementing a Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024–2030).
The plan is tailored to mitigate and ultimately eliminate the drug and substance abuse scourge in Zimbabwe.
The committee coordinates actions across Government ministries, law enforcement agencies and the private sector.
It seeks to achieve set targets through seven strategic pillars: supply chain reduction, demand reduction and prevention, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, psycho-social support and community reintegration, resource mobilisation and economic strengthening, media and communication and legal and policy reforms.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the committee was successfully disrupting illicit supply networks and had achieved significant milestones.
She said 2 889 suspects were taken to courts around the country and 381 were convicted.
About 453 drug suppliers, 2 436 individual end-users and 31 drug bases were dismantled in Manicaland and Mashonaland West Provinces.
Drugs and illicit substances valued at over ZiG79 931 130 were confiscated.
