Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
Three suspected drug dealers appeared separately before Harare magistrate Mrs Jessie Kufa, facing charges of unlawful possession of unregistered medicines and possession of prohibited medicines after police allegedly recovered large quantities of codeine-based cough syrups and other drugs.
The accused persons are Lucky Kunaka (38), Alfonse Vengai Kumbirai Mushanawani and Godknows Garaise (21).
They were remanded in custody over the weekend and are expected back in court for bail applications.
The State alleges that on May 23, 2026, at around 1 am, police officers conducting surveillance received information that Kunaka was allegedly dealing in dangerous drugs and unregistered medicines at his residence in Kuwadzana 1, Harare.
Police allegedly proceeded to Kunaka’s house at around 12:40 am and conducted a search in Kunaka’s room.
During the search, police allegedly recovered 144 bottles of 100ml Astra Pain containing 5mg of codeine phosphate and 12.5 per cent alcohol, as well as 24 bottles of 100ml Benylin with codeine.
Kunaka was subsequently arrested.
In a separate matter, the State alleges that on May 21, 2026, at around 8 pm, police received information that Mushanawani was allegedly selling dangerous drugs and unregistered medicines from a black Mercedes-Benz, which he reportedly used as a distribution point and hideout.
At around 8:40 pm, police allegedly located the vehicle parked at N. Richards Shopping Centre in Westlea, Harare, and approached the accused.
After identifying themselves, officers searched the vehicle.
Police allegedly recovered 400 bottles of 100ml BronCleer containing 10mg of codeine phosphate and 96.5 per cent alcohol, 120 bottles of 100ml Astra Pain containing 5mg of codeine phosphate and 12.5 per cent alcohol, and US$2 932 suspected to be proceeds of the illicit trade.
Mushanawani was arrested, and the vehicle, medicines and cash were seized.
On the third charge, the State alleges that on May 23, 2026, at around midnight, police officers acting on received information conducted a search at Garaise’s residence in Kuwadzana 1.
The search allegedly led to the recovery of 22 bottles of 100ml Benylin with codeine.
Garaise was subsequently arrested.
