Police blitz nets 30 illicit drug peddlers

POLICE have arrested 30 culprits linked to the peddling of illicit drugs and substance abuse with a majority of them coming from Bulawayo.

The law enforcement agents have since launched an anti-drug awareness campaign in the city as they intensify efforts to rid the country of the scourge of illicit drug and substance abuse, which is increasingly becoming a threat to national progress.

Among the named and shamed drug dealers are Bonface Mufundisi (26) from Bikita, joseph Muleya (23) from Beitbridge, Nyaradzai Chapfuma also from Beitbridge, Tinashe Murenzwi (24), Murewa, Honest Ndlovu (22) of Cowdray Park, Bulawayo and Linda Sibanda (32) of Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge.

Others are Kirit Ndlovu (24) of Njube, Bulawayo, Maxwell Nkomo (46) of J M Nkomo Compound, Bulawayo, Jera Phera (48) of Queenspark, Bulawayo, Evans Dube (32) from Entumbane, Bulawayo, and Agnes Nkoma (45) of New Lobengula.

The crew also includes Witness Tinarwo (38) of New Lobengula, Bulawayo, Cleopas Moyo (21) of Pumula South, Nomagugu Ntini (38) of New Lobengula, Lindiwe Mlanga (25) of Pumula, Bulawayo, and Onita Dube (31) of Churchill Road, Bellevue, Bulawayo.

Others are Justice Marima of Old Lobengula, Nokuthula Sibanda of no fixed abode in Pumula, and Michael Nkoma (20) of Nkulumane 5.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said drug and substance abuse has adversely affected the country and traced the trend to the Covid -19 period where many people found solace in recreational drugs and substances that they have since become addicted to.

“This has become a security threat for the wellbeing of the youth, adults and the socio-economic status of Zimbabwe. The menace is affecting everyone in residential, central business districts, industrial, farming, rural and urban setups,” he said during the campaign launch on Saturday.

“Families have been destroyed because of the proliferation of drugs in society.”

Asst Comm Nyathi said drugs were now being used by criminals to gather confidence in committing crime.

“As if that is not enough, drug and substance abuse has also become a conduit of criminal activities such as murder, rape, kidnapping, road traffic accidents, robbery and domestic violence, among others,” he said.

The Government has set up a National Committee on the Elimination of Drug and Substance Abuse in the country with activities cascading to provinces, district and village levels.

Commending the organisers for the event, Asst Comm Nyathi said all stakeholders need to speak with one voice and take decisive action against drug and substance abuse in the country.

He said the police were part of the Supply Reduction Pillar and Communication Pillar in the National Committee on the Elimination of Drug and Substance Abuse technical Committee.

Besides arrests being conducted by law enforcement agents, police have launched awareness in communities at various levels.

Asst Comm Nyathi said individuals and syndicates who have been duly arrested in connection with drugs and substance abuse have appeared before the courts and some have been convicted and given appropriate sentences.

However, some have their cases still pending before the courts.

Yesterday the police released another batch of drug peddlers who have been convicted by the courts and Asst Comm Nyathi said they will soon unearth areas, which convicted peddlers were operating from, the sentences given and the nature of drugs they were supplying or peddling in the community.

“I want to implore the public to freely come forward with information, which can assist the police to account for drug dealers,” he said.

“The police are aware that several allegations have been raised on social media and traditional media where there are claims that the real drug barons are not being arrested. Police do not operate in isolation, we therefore need evidence and credible information, which can assist in conducting investigations and arrests of the so-called known drug dealers who are not being arrested,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“The police will effect arrests without fear or favour. We will not look into one’s status, identity, or financial muscle. What we need is credible information. The country’s vision 2030 thrust can only be realised if all Zimbabweans take a firm position and fight drug and substance abuse in society.”