Crackdown on drugs makes headway in Byo – police

Bulawayo (New Ziana) – A campaign launched by police recently against illicit drug suppliers and peddlers countrywide is progressing well in Bulawayo province, with several arrests already made, a senior officer has said.
With full backing from government, police last week launched a nationwide crackdown against drug peddlers and abusers.

The campaign, dubbed “No to dangerous drugs and illicit substance: See something, Say something” has seen police raiding suspected drug suppliers across the country.

In an interview with New Ziana, Bulawayo Province police officer commanding, Senior Assistant Commissioner Patson Nyabadza said the campaign was progressing well in the region, with several arrests made of both drug suppliers and abusers in the city.

“We have conducted our first operation to flush out those illegally selling and peddling drugs. The campaign is progressing well, and we are making several arrests especially those who partake mutoriro and smoke dagga,” he said.

Nyabadza, however, said police had not yet busted drug lords of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

“We have not made any arrest of suppliers of heavy drugs such as cocaine and heroin. We have managed to arrest those selling illicit brews such as njengu and other brands of beers which are being illegally smuggled into the country,” he said.

In the province, most unregistered beer brands were being smuggled from South Africa and Botswana through porous border points by transporters popularly known as Omalayitsha.

Nyabadza said police were receiving good support and tip offs in the battle against illicit drugs, which mainly affected youths.

“We are receiving tip offs from members of the public on various places where drugs are being sold. We have managed to make several arrests in Cowdry Park high density suburb. Most arrests were from high density areas whilst there are no cases from low density areas,” he said.

He said a major challenge facing police was that most of those arrested were not divulging information about the source of the drugs and illegal brews.

New Ziana