Drugs worth ZiG 93 600 seized on Mutare-bound bus in joint security operation

A joint security team intercepted dangerous drugs with a street value of ZiG 93 600 on a bus travelling from South Africa to Mutare last Friday, dealing a blow to cross-border drug trafficking in Manicaland Province.

The operation, conducted under the ongoing “No to Drugs” campaign, resulted in the recovery of 18,2 kilogrammes of dagga and 5,4 kilogrammes of khat, which had been concealed beneath the back seat of the Mzansi Express bus.

Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the seizure, praising the swift reaction by law enforcement agencies.

According to Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, the Ferret team – comprising officers from CID Mutare, Police Internal Investigations, ZRP Penhalonga, the Central Intelligence Organisation, the Zimbabwe National Army, and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service – acted on credible intelligence received around midday on February 28.

“The intelligence reports suggested that the contraband was to be offloaded before reaching Mutare and transferred into a getaway vehicle to evade routine searches,” he said

Acting on that information, the team swiftly organised an ambush at Chakohwa Business Centre in Nyanyadzi, where the bus was intercepted.

The vehicle, driven by 53-year-old Jeston Masunda of Masvingo, was stopped and escorted to Mutare General Motors Services (GMS) for a thorough inspection after officers identified themselves.

“A joint search was conducted with the assistance of Zimra. During the search, two wrapped packages containing dagga and one box of khat were recovered from underneath the back seat,” Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said.

In addition to the drugs, authorities also discovered undeclared goods on the bus. The recovered substances were weighed, confirming 18,20kg of dagga and 5,4kg of khat.

Zimra Mutare subsequently seized the contraband under official seizure numbers, while the bus was also impounded pending further investigations.

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka confirmed that no arrests have been made so far.

“Investigations are ongoing to establish the intended recipients and the origin of the undeclared goods,” he said.

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka issued a stern warning to transport operators and individuals involved in cross-border trade, emphasising that law enforcement agencies are intensifying operations to combat drug trafficking.

“We want to send a strong warning to transporters and members of the public – Zimbabwe is not a corridor for drug trafficking,” he said.

“Anyone found transporting or facilitating the movement of dangerous drugs will face the full wrath of the law.”

He added that police are concerned about the increasing flow of illicit substances into the country, particularly from neighbouring countries.

“Drugs such as dagga and khat have devastating effects on communities, especially on young people. They fuel crime, destroy families and undermine national development,” Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said.

He urged members of the public to continue providing information that can assist law enforcement agencies in curbing drug abuse and trafficking.

“This successful interception was made possible through timely information. We encourage citizens to report suspicious activities. Together, we can protect our communities from the scourge of drugs,” he said.

The operation forms part of broader efforts by authorities to crack down on the illegal drug trade, which has become a growing concern in communities across the country.

_Herald_