Harare's Drug Kingpins Lay Low As Police Launch Anti-Drugs Blitz

Police have launched a manhunt for ten (10) suspected drug kingpins in Harare who are believed to have been supplying illicit drugs to the public.

Over the past two weeks, law enforcement agents have arrested over 1,500 drug dealers across the country under a multi-agency operation codenamed “No to dangerous drugs and illicit substances: See something, say something”.

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Secretary for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Tafadzwa Muguti said the Government will ensure that all drug dealers are brought to account. He said:

“Once the police have reasonable suspicion that you are dealing in drugs, they have no choice but to call you in for questioning.

“In Harare Province, I understand at least 10 well-known drug lords are on the run and police are looking for them. As Government, we will continue to pour resources into the operation to make sure all those responsible for selling drugs are brought to book.”

Muguti added that about 40% of those arrested during the operation were from Warren Park. He said:

For the benefit of those who may not understand our position on drugs, it’s very simple: If you buy drugs, you take drugs, you sell drugs or you transport drugs, this means you are part of the value chain of the drug industry.

All of the above are illegal activities. No fish is too small or too big; as long as you play a role, you will face the music.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said:

“We can neither deny nor confirm that specific individuals are wanted for questioning, but police have intensified investigations into several suspected drug kingpins.

“Some have gone into hiding, but police will not leave any stone unturned as we continue with the operation across the country. To date, about 1,500 people have been arrested in connection with their involvement with drugs across the country.

“So far, police have recovered large quantities of mbanje, crystal methamphetamine — commonly referred to as mutoriro — and bottles of banned addictive cough syrups such as BronCleer, Benylin with Codeine and Adco-Salterpyn syrup, among other illicit substances in a recent raid in Mbare.

“Some of the houses we raided were being used by people as waiting rooms, but are now being occupied by some families who were engaging in criminal activities such as brewing illicit and dangerous substances, which promote drug and substance abuse and related criminal activities.”