BULAWAYO – Bulawayo police arrested two people after recovering 31.8 kilogrammes of cannabis worth more than ZiG280,000 and nearly 450 bottles of Broncleer cough syrup in separate anti-drug operations in Bulawayo.
The suspects were identified as Annet Sebele, 38, and Fortune Tshabalala, 42, both of Tshabalala suburb.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said Monday tha detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics unit arrested Sebele on August 1 after receiving information that she was operating a drug supply business from her home.
Police recovered four cobs of cannabis weighing 1.8 kilogrammes, with a street value of ZiG280,000, which had allegedly been hidden in a satchel Sebele was carrying. Detectives also found several empty sachets believed to be used for repackaging the drugs.
During questioning, Sebele allegedly implicated Tshabalala, leading detectives to a nearby house believed to be used as a drug storehouse, where he was arrested.
In a separate operation in Newtown West on August 2 at around 4AM, detectives acted on information that drugs were being sold from a house in the suburb.
Police said they observed suspects loading an unidentified substance into a white Honda Vezel before identifying themselves. The suspects allegedly drove into the yard, locked the gate, jumped over the durawall and escaped through nearby bushes.
A search of the house led to the recovery of 36 cobs of cannabis weighing about 30 kilogrammes, 58 boxes of Broncleer cough syrup containing 50 bottles each, and 447 loose 100ml bottles of the cough syrup.
The recovered Broncleer has an estimated street value of US$26,429.
Police said investigations are continuing to identify and arrest the suspects who escaped.
The arrests come amid growing concern over the abuse of cough syrups and cannabis products in Zimbabwe, particularly among young people. Broncleer, a codeine-based cough syrup, has increasingly featured in police drug seizures in Bulawayo and other urban centres, while cannabis remains one of the most commonly trafficked illicit drugs in the country.
Zimbabwean authorities have repeatedly warned that drug and substance abuse is contributing to rising cases of mental health disorders, school dropouts, violent crime and road accidents.
The government has identified drug abuse as a national public health and security concern, with police intensifying raids on suspected drug dens and supply networks.
Msebele thanked members of the public for providing information leading to the arrests and seizures.
“We appreciate members of the public for supplying information which led to the arrest of the accused persons. We also warn those unlawfully dealing in dangerous drugs that the law will take its course without fear or favour,” she said.
