Police seize big drug consignment

POLICE and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officials intercepted a Toyota Quantum towing trailer containing 48kgs of dagga and 676 bottles of Benilyn cough syrup, which were smuggled from South Africa through Beitbridge Border Post.

The kombi was en route from Johannesburg to Bulawayo when it was intercepted and the drugs were found hidden in a secret compartment.

The interception comes after the Government declared drugs and substance abuse a national threat and established a technical committee to address the scourge.

The majority of drugs and substance users are young people and some are even believed to be abusing unconventional drugs such as fluorescent lamp powder and elements from diapers.

The Government has intensified the fight against the scourge as it has become a peace and security threat, with many affected young people involved in violent activities.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said concerted efforts led to the interception of the vehicle carrying the contraband.

“Working with Zimra, we managed to intercept a South African registered Toyota Quantum that was delivering the contraband comprising 48kgs of dagga, and 676 bottles of Benilyn cough syrup. The vehicle which was pulling a trailer was intercepted at Beitbridge Border Post,” he said.

“We have established that the vehicle was en route to Bulawayo from South Africa when it was intercepted.”

Asst Comm Nyathi said five passengers, including the driver, fled from the scene when the kombi was intercepted.

“The driver closed the windows and locked the doors when the vehicle was intercepted. There were police and Zimra officials as well as sniffer dogs. When efforts were made to interrogate the passengers they escaped and they are still on the run and investigations are underway,” he said.

He said the estimated value of the dagga is US$1 992, while the value of the cough syrup is yet to be established.

“This is one of the biggest drug busts we have recorded in the country. We urge citizens to fight against the continued use of drugs and substances as this is affecting, not just the economy, but the populace,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said further information will be provided as investigations progress.

In an endeavour to curb the rampant spread of drug and substance abuse, police launched an initiative to code-named “Shame peddlers and drug lords”.

Last month, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister Chido Sanyatwe told Parliament that police arrested 1 460 drug peddlers in Bulawayo between February last year and this year and recovered illegal drugs worth $62 million.

She said police have also deployed sniffer dogs at the country’s borders to help detect illegal substances. Deputy Minister Sanyatwe told the National Assembly that the country received US$137 000 anti-narcotics analysis equipment from China to help strengthen the country’s initiatives to detect drugs.

The equipment will enhance the police forensic laboratories’ operational efficiency in the fight against drugs.

Awareness campaigns have been held across the country in an effort to curb the bane.