Harare, (New Ziana) – Police in Beitbridge have dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks after intercepting large consignments of dagga in two separate incidents, while detectives in Harare arrested four suspects linked to a violent carjacking case.
National spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said in the latest case, police on Tuesday arrested a 52-year-old truck driver, Lazarous Chenjerai, at the Beitbridge Border Post following a tip-off.
He said acting swiftly on the information, detectives searched the haulage truck, which was carrying assorted goods, and uncovered 34 bales of dagga weighing approximately 692 kilograms concealed within the trailer.
The bust highlights the increasing use of cross-border transport vehicles to smuggle illicit substances into and out of the country.
In a related incident on March 28 this year, in the border town intercepted a Toyota Hilux at the Bubye Valley Conservancy entrance gate, leading to the arrest of three suspects Archwel Mutanga (43), Shakemore Mugombe (36) and Brighton Mavusi (27).
Comm Nyathi said a search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 5 bales and 63 cobs of dagga with a combined weight of about 230 kilograms.
Police believe the two cases may be part of a broader network involved in the transportation and distribution of cannabis, commonly known as dagga, across the region.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Comm Nyathi also confirmed the arrest of four suspects in connection with a carjacking incident that occurred in Chishawasha, about 12 kilometers north of the capital, on March 28 this year.
The suspects, Tatenda Maziva (35), Vincent Karonga (32), Lee Maxin (40) and Langton Sekera (46), allegedly hired a vehicle from the Harare Central Business District, pretending to be ordinary passengers en-route to Glen Lorne.
However, along the journey, the suspects reportedly turned on the driver, assaulting him before robbing him of his valuables. They later dumped the victim near Mothercare in Chishawasha and fled the scene in his Toyota Aqua.
Police investigations led to the tracking and recovery of the stolen vehicle, culminating in the arrest of the suspects.
Comm Nyathi reiterated the commitment of the ZRP to combating drug trafficking and violent crime, warning that perpetrators will face the full force of the law.
He also urged members of the public to continue supplying information that assists law enforcement agencies in curbing criminal activities.
New Ziana
