Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – Police in Bulawayo on Wednesday arrested two suspected drug dealers and recovered large quantities of dagga and illicit cough syrup worth more than ZiG$26 000 in separate anti-drug operations.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Nomalanga Msebele said the arrests followed intelligence-led operations by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs and Narcotics Unit.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Annet Sebele (38) and Fortune Tshabalala (42), both from Tshabalala high density suburb, for unlawful possession of, and dealing in dangerous drugs,” she said.
She said detectives acted on information received on August 1 that Sebele was operating a drug distribution business from her residence.
“Detectives proceeded to the suspect’s residence where she was arrested. They recovered four cobs of dagga weighing approximately 1,8 kilogrammes which were concealed in a satchel she was carrying.
“Several empty sachets were also recovered, suggesting that the drugs were being prepared for packaging and distribution,” Msebele said.
She said investigations led to the arrest of Tshabalala after Sebele implicated him as an accomplice.
“Following interviews with the suspect, detectives arrested Fortune Tshabalala at a nearby house believed to have been used as a storage facility for the drugs,” she said.
In a separate operation conducted in Newton West suburb, police recovered a much larger consignment of dangerous drugs after suspected traffickers fled from detectives.
“Detectives received information that dangerous drugs were being stored and distributed from a house in Newton West. While conducting surveillance, they observed suspects arriving at the property in a white Honda Vezel.
“A search of the house led to the recovery of 36 cobs of dagga weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes, 58 boxes containing 50 bottles each of 100ml BronCleer cough syrup and a further 447 loose 100ml bottles of BronCleer.
“The recovered drugs have an estimated street value of US$26 429,” Msebele said.
New Ziana
