Wannabe Indian drug mule to spend 10 years in Harare slammer

ON October 23, 2022, 56-year-old Indian national Gowda Nabin Chandra waltzed into the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport probably whistling a carefree tune, dragging behind him two bags.

He went through all the usual motions — checking in, slapping nametags on his bags, breezing through customs and immigration, and boldly declaring that his luggage containing nothing but clothes.

This self-proclaimed clothing enthusiast, visiting from India, apparently had a very specific wardrobe in mind for his trip to Addis Ababa.

However, his sartorial selections raised a few eyebrows among the vigilant airport security staff.

Apparently, he thought he could pull a fast one on airport security by smuggling 7,9 kg of heroin.

And that is a lot.

Imagine how heavy a 10kg bag of mealie meal is.

But his scheme did not work.

One of Chandra’s beloved bags seemed to be holding more than just a collection of classic crewnecks.

Airport security officials flagged the bag for further inspection.

Chandra, ever the picture of innocence, insisted it was just his “personal clothing”.

The X-ray machine disagreed.

A closer inspection revealed four not-so-fashionable packets tucked away in the bag’s lining.

These were not your run-of-the-mill travel essentials; they were packets of heroin, cleverly disguised among Chandra’s extensive navy wardrobe.

Chandra’s story unravelled faster than a poorly knitted sweater.

The heroin was confiscated and Chandra’s trip to Addis Ababa was permanently rerouted to a local jail.

In court last week, Harare regional magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei had little sympathy for Chandra’s plea of ignorance.

After a full trial, he was convicted of unlawful possession of dangerous drugs and handed an effective 15-year jail sentence.

To add insult to injury, he was also slapped with a US$5 000 fine or an additional five years behind bars if he fails to pay up.

His consolation is that he committed his offence in Zimbabwe.

In other jurisdictions, he would have earned himself an appointment with death, as the crime attracts a mandatory death sentence.