Makokoba woman back in court after vanishing for 2 years in drug case

 

Kimberley Chitambara,[email protected]

A 34-year-old Bulawayo woman appeared in court charged with alleged unlawful possession of dangerous drugs without a permit.

Doreen Matongo of 2nd Street Makokoba appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Themba Chimiso, facing charges of unlawful possession of crystal methamphetamine drug and cocaine.

She was denied bail because as she was on the run for nearly two years and will be back in court on Friday for provision of trial date.

Prosecuting, Ms Brenda Ndlovu, said allegations are that on January 31, 2022 at around 8:30PM police detectives received information that Matongo’s residence was being used as a drug base.

“Acting on the information detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics proceeded to the given address where the raid was conducted and they found the accused person seated on her bed in her room,” said Ms Ndlovu.

Police detectives introduced themselves and the searches were conducted in her room leading to the recovery of three sachets of crystal methamphetamine, which were hidden under the corner of the bed.

Matongo was then arrested and the drugs were taken for scientific examination and tested positive to crystal methamphetamine, which is illegal, the court heard.

The recovered crystal meth drugs has a total weight of 1,0980 grams with a street value of $2 550.
“Further searches in that room led to the recovery of one sachet of suspected cocaine in Matongo’s jacket pocket and it was taken to for scientific examination and tested positive to cocaine,” she said.

The recovered cocaine has a total weight of 0.3043 grams with a street value of $4 800. The court also heard that Matongo had previously been held in custody for about six months in 2022 while awaiting a forensic report required for the finalization of her earlier drug-related matter. She was released after delays in the processing and updating of the required documents.

However, once the outstanding documents were finally updated, detectives attempted to locate her but she disappeared and had been evading the police during that period.