Inter-Africa bus crew & passenger arrested with 66kg of mbanje

AN Inter Africa Bus crew and a passenger were on Tuesday night arrested in Chipinge after police intercepted a bus and recovered more than 66 kgs of dagga hidden in fuel compartments and luggage bags.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said the arrests followed an anonymous tip-off received by the Chipinge District crack team last Tuesday.

The tip-off alerted the police that an Inter Africa bus plying the Chisumbanje − Harare route was carrying dagga.

He confirmed the arrest of Abraham Marakia, 62, the bus driver, Judah Gondo, 27, the bus conductor and Nyasha Jojo, who was a passenger.

“The swift deployment of officers led to the interception of the bus, registration number AGL 6164, at Ratings turn-off along the Ngundu–Tanganda road around 11:30 pm.

“The police searched the bus and recovered 10 compressed and wrapped plastic packs of dagga in a black big bag and two more in a satchel bag.

“Gondo claimed ownership of the dagga and even attempted to bribe officers to allow the bus to proceed but the team refused,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka.

The search did not end there as officers ordered the driver, Marakia, to unlock two compartments attached to the fuel tanks.

“Inside, they discovered 13 compressed packs of dagga in the right tank, seven in the left, and one more hidden in the dashboard near the steering wheel.

“The bus was then escorted to Middle Sabi Police Station for further checks, where Gondo implicated Jojo, as the owner of part of the contraband.

“Jojo admitted that he owned the satchel containing two dagga packs but denied responsibility for the larger bag

“All three were arrested for unlawful possession of dagga. The recovered dagga was later weighed at ZIMPOST, confirming a total of 66.45 kilograms.

“Both the contraband and three suspects have since been handed over to CID Chipinge for further investigations.”

He added:

“Public transport must be a safe mode of travel not a tool for trafficking dangerous substances.

“Those who involve themselves in drug transportation will face the full wrath of the law.

“They not only endanger their freedom but also betray the trust of the communities and passengers they serve,” he said.

H-metro