Mbanje found concealed in banana sacks

Tendai Gukutikwa

Mutare Bureau

A ROUTINE night traffic patrol along the Birchenough Bridge-Mt Selinda Road turned into a major anti-drug operation after police intercepted a bus carrying 31,5kg of mbanje concealed inside sacks of bananas.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka warned drug traffickers that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant and will not relent in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He said the operation, which was carried out by officers from ZRP Chipinge Traffic, led to the recovery of mbanje with an estimated street value of US$3 500, while the suspected owner of the contraband dramatically fled into the darkness moments after police uncovered the illicit cargo.

“On December 18, at around 8pm, when a team of three police officers from Chipinge Traffic was conducting a road traffic patrol as part of routine traffic law enforcement duties, they intercepted the contraband,” he said.

The patrol team was deployed along the Birchenough Bridge-Mt Selinda Road, a route that connects several border-adjacent communities and is frequently used by public transport operators ferrying passengers and goods.

“When the officers reached the 58kmpeg near Mashiri turn off, they stopped an Inter Africa bus, (AGJ 9539), which was travelling north. The driver complied with the instruction to pull off the road, and the officers proceeded to carry out a routine inspection,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

The bus was thoroughly searched by the three officers, in line with standard operating procedures. During the inspection, the officers detected a strong scent suspected to be that of mbanje emanating from the rear left side boot of the bus.

“The officers are trained to rely not only on what they see, but also on what they smell and hear. In this case, the smell raised immediate suspicion. Despite an initial search, the officers could not immediately locate the source of the smell, prompting them to conduct a more detailed inspection of the luggage in the boot.

“There were four sacks loaded with bananas in the boot. At first glance, they appeared to be ordinary agricultural produce being transported, but the officers became suspicious because of the persistent smell,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, adding that the cops then decided to pull down one of the banana sacks for closer inspection.

“When they searched the sack, they discovered that in the middle of the bananas, there were packs of mbanje carefully concealed. This method of concealment is clearly meant to mislead law enforcement officers and avoid detection.”

Following the discovery in the first sack, all four banana sacks were removed from the bus and searched.

“It was then established that all four sacks were loaded with mbanje hidden in the middle of the bananas. The traffickers had used the bananas as a cover, hoping the officers would not search agricultural produce,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

While the officers were processing the discovery and questioning occupants of the bus, the situation took a dramatic turn.

“The driver and the conductor were interviewed and they stated that they did not know the owner of the luggage. However, during that time, an unknown male person disembarked from the bus and ran into the darkness,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

Police strongly suspect that the person who fled was the owner of the contraband.

“The manner in which this individual fled the scene raises serious suspicion. It is highly likely that he realised the mbanje had been discovered and panicked,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

The recovered mbanje, together with the banana sacks, was immediately escorted to ZRP Chipinge Traffic offices for safekeeping and further processing.

“The mbanje was later weighed at ZimPost Chipinge, and it weighed 31 500 grams. Based on current street prices, the estimated value of the recovered dagga is US$3 500.”

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the police are following up leads and are confident that arrests will be made.

“We are actively pursuing this matter. We urge members of the public who may have information about the suspect or the origin of this consignment to come forward and assist the police.”

He applauded the Chipinge Traffic officers for their professionalism and alertness.