Suspected Bulawayo drug dealer to face bail hearing over possession of broncleer and dagga

THE Western Commonage Magistrate Court will on Tuesday hear the bail application of a suspected Bulawayo drug dealer, Elton Ndlovu, who was found in possession of several bottles of Broncleer cough syrup and dagga following a police raid at his home.

Ndlovu appeared before Western Commonage Magistrate Mr. Mehluli Moyo, facing two counts of unlawful possession of controlled substances, in violation of Section 73 (1) of the Medicine and Allied Substances Control General Regulations SI 150/91, as read with Section 38 of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act.

Prosecuting, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that on 14 February, at around 8pm, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs and Narcotics, in conjunction with officers from ZRP Entumbane, received information that Ndlovu had illegal drugs at his house in Entumbane.

Acting on the tip-off, law enforcement agents proceeded to his house, conducted a search, and recovered 40 bottles of 100ml Broncleer cough syrup containing codeine. The seized bottles had an estimated street value of US$200.

In addition to the cough syrup, police also discovered loose dagga weighing 556g hidden in the house, with a street value of US$100. Ndlovu was immediately arrested.

Broncleer, commonly known as “Bronco,” is a codeine-based cough syrup often abused for its intoxicating effects. It has become a drug of choice among young people, leading authorities to intensify crackdowns on its illegal distribution. Similarly, dagga (marijuana) remains a controlled substance in Zimbabwe, with strict penalties for those found in possession without authorisation.

Authorities have urged communities to report drug-related activities to help curb substance abuse, which continues to be a significant problem in urban areas like Bulawayo.

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