dyton mupawaenda
Crime Reporter
Police have intensified the crackdown against drug and substance abuse countrywide after the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) recently conducted an operation code-named Pangea XVI targeting illicit medicines worldwide.
“No to dangerous drugs and illicit substances” was launched with Government urging police to re-double efforts against drug lords supplying unwanted substances to youths. Government sees the rounding up of drug kingpins as a permanent solution to drug and substance abuse amongst the youths, along with fining users as they are arrested and then getting them to accept rehabilitation.
Police in Beitbridge recently intercepted a haulage truck that was ferrying cough syrups which had been smuggled into the country from South Africa, In Masvingo, police arrested three drug dealers. In Glendale, a suspected drug dealer was arrested after he was found in possession of mbanje and other illicit drugs.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, when giving more details: “Police in Beitbridge arrested an MNH truck driver, Edison Kazingizi aged 29 at Beitbridge Border Post in connection with unlawful possession of 48 X 100 ml of Benylin Codeine, 50 X 100 ml Adyco Salterpyn and 50 X 100 ml Broncleer cough syrup.
“The contraband was hidden in the truck which was carrying drums containing oil from South Africa,” he said. He said detectives in Masvingo arrested Ammon Mataruse (27), Tinashe Matore (19) and Tatenda Mahachi (30) in connection with unlawful possession of 15 twists of dagga, three 100 ml bottles of Adcorsalterpyn, three 100 ml bottles of Stilpane Cough Syrup, three 100 ml bottles of Benylin cough syrup and three 100 ml bottles of Broncleer cough syrup.
Police in Glendale acting on a tip off arrested Deon Nyakuremba in connection with dealing in dangerous drugs.
He was allegedly found in possession of 15 sachets of mbanje, two twists of mbanje, one bottle of Benylin, two bottles of Adco Salter Pyn Syrup and one bottle of Histalix.
“Meanwhile, Tinotenda Rusere (28) was arrested for bribery after offering US$70 cash to the police for the release of Deon Nyakuremba from police custody,” Asst Comm Nyathi said. The bribe was scorned and the potential briber was instead arrested.
The arrests also come after Interpol recently conducted a major operation to crack down on illicit medicines across 89 countries.
Interpol said the annual campaign targets illicit medicines that pose a significant threat to consumer safety, including counterfeit medicines and medicines diverted from legal and regulated supply chains. They also represent a major source of income for transnational organised crime groups and support other crime activity.
Operation Pangea XVI, led to 72 arrests worldwide, the seizure of potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals worth more than US$7 million, 325 new investigations and the closure of more than 1 300 criminal websites.
“Erectile dysfunction medications continue to be the most seized drugs globally, accounting for 22 per cent of seizures during the operation. Psychotherapeutic agents such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines and stimulants were a close second at 19 per cent, followed by sex hormones and gastrointestinal medicines at 12 per cent,” Interpol said.
In Mozambique, authorities seized 9 000 bottles of suspected counterfeit cough syrups, after discovering contradictions between product labels and official documents.
Interpol said: “Counterfeit medicines and the misuse of regulated medication is a significant threat to public safety around the world. Operation Pangea XVI removed a large amount of illegal and potentially life-threatening products off the streets and dismantled criminal networks trafficking such goods.
“The operation underlines the continuing need for a coordinated and global response against the threat posed by illicit medicines and transnational organized crime groups.”
Throughout the operation, additional support was provided by Europol, the World Customs Organization, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Narcotics Control Board, national health regulatory agencies and the Pharmaceutical Security Institute.
Online Reporter