Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
POLICE have arrested two marijuana cultivators in Makoni district on Monday and recovered 116kgs of the drugs.
The suspects – Collin Manyara (30), of Masvosva Village under Chief Makoni, and James Bvekerwa (34), of Samunderu Village under Chief Svosve – were found in possession of the drugs.
An alert CID Rusape dragnet squad swooped in on Manyara and Bvekerwa at the former’s homestead and caught them while they were preparing to transport the marijuana to an undisclosed destination.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said Manyara and Bvekerwa allegedly cultivated the marijuana in Manyara’s garden, situated approximately 800 metres from his homestead.
The garden had a substantial number of mature marijuana plants.
“On June 2, ZRP Rusape Rural received a tip-off to the effect that Manyara and Bvekerwa were in possession of dagga at Manyara’s homestead, and were planning to transport it to an unknown destination.
“The station alerted detectives who were on surveillance in the area. The detectives swiftly reacted to the information and managed to arrest the two.
“They conducted searches in Manyara’s one-roomed thatched house and recovered some loose dagga stashed in 2×90 kilogramme sacks and 8×50 kilogramme sacks.
“Investigations carried out indicated that accused persons grew dagga in Manyara’s garden, which is about 800 metres from his house.
“The dagga was taken to the station as an exhibit. Accused persons will appear in court soon and further investigations are underway,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The Masvosva and Dewedzo areas of Makoni West have gained notoriety as a hub for marijuana cultivation, with the illicit crop predominantly grown in the mountainous region.
The region has long been associated with large-scale marijuana production, posing significant challenges to law enforcement efforts.
The street value of the marijuana is substantial, with a single gramme fetching up to US$1.
This lucrative trade has drawn many into this illicit industry, further complicating efforts to eradicate the problem.
