Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested 7 753 people in a nationwide crackdown on drug and substance abuse conducted between June 2025 and May 2026, with youths accounting for the majority of those apprehended.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on drug and substance abuse convened by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Senator Charles Tawengwa, on Wednesday, Officer Commanding CID Drugs and Narcotics, Commissioner Cornelius Dale, said 6 177 of those arrested were men while 1 576 were women.
The figures translate to 80 percent male offenders and 20 percent female offenders.
“Of the accused persons arrested during the period under review, 2 277 were above the age of 35, representing 30 percent of the total arrests,” said Commissioner Dale.
“Those below the age of 35 accounted for 5 476 arrests, which represents 70 percent of the total number of accused persons arrested.”
Commissioner Dale said police seized significant quantities of illicit drugs during the operation, including 8 746 kilogrammes of cannabis and 4 323 grammes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as mutoriro.
Police also recovered 163 grammes of cocaine and uprooted 31 cannabis plants being illegally cultivated.
In addition, authorities confiscated 1 975 400 bottles of cough syrup suspected to be abused as intoxicants, as well as various complementary and unregistered medicines valued at ZiG4 135 600.
The anti-drug operation also targeted manufacturers of illicit alcoholic beverages, resulting in the arrest of operators from 15 companies allegedly involved in producing illegal brews.
He said four cases involving companies accused of producing illicit beverages are still before the courts.
“Various equipment was recovered from the accused persons and about 70 percent of those arrested have since been convicted. Large quantities of illicit brews were also destroyed,” he said.
Investigations further revealed that some beverages submitted to the Government Analyst contained alcohol despite being marketed otherwise.
“We also charged some of the companies for selling adulterated food products, which is an offence under the Food and Food Standards Act,” he said.
Commissioner Dale said police recently raided a company operating in Zimre Park, leading to the seizure of 1 245 bottles of Honeybin Energy Drink and 40 kilogrammes of red tablets suspected to be used in the manufacture or distribution of illicit substances.
The latest statistics underscore the scale of Zimbabwe’s fight against drug and substance abuse, which authorities have identified as a growing threat to public health, community safety and youth development.
