By a Correspondent
Police in Bulawayo have arrested two suspected drug dealers and recovered large quantities of dagga and illicit cough syrup in separate operations as authorities intensify the fight against drug and substance abuse.
Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the arrest of Annet Sebele (38) and Fortune Tshabalala (42), both from Tshabalala suburb, for allegedly dealing in dangerous drugs.
According to Inspector Msebele, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs and Narcotics Unit acted on information received from members of the public on August 1 and raided Sebele’s residence.
“Detectives proceeded to the house and arrested Annet Sebele. They recovered four cobs of dagga weighing 1.8 kilograms with a street value of ZIG28 000. Several empty sachets, suggesting that packaging was in progress, were also recovered,” said Inspector Msebele.
She said investigations led to the arrest of Tshabalala, who was allegedly linked to the operation and was apprehended at a nearby house believed to have been used as a storage facility.
In a separate incident, police recovered drugs with an estimated street value of US$26 429 during a raid in Newton West.
Inspector Msebele said detectives received information on August 2 that suspected drug dealers were operating from a house in the suburb.
“Detectives kept surveillance at the premises and later observed a white Honda Vezel approaching the house. Upon identifying themselves, the suspects drove into the yard, locked the gate and fled on foot after jumping over the perimeter wall into nearby bushland,” she said.
Although the suspects escaped, police searched the premises and recovered 36 cobs of dagga weighing approximately 30 kilograms, 58 boxes of BronCleer cough syrup containing 50 bottles each, and 447 loose 100ml bottles of BronCleer cough syrup hidden in a spare bedroom.
Inspector Msebele commended members of the public for providing information that led to the arrests and drug recoveries.
“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.
The latest arrests come as law enforcement agencies continue nationwide efforts to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse, which authorities say remain a growing concern, particularly among young people.
