Mufakose Duo Nabbed for Crystal Meth Possession

Two suspected drug dealers yesterday appeared in court on charges of possession of dangerous drugs.

Prince Tapiwa Samuriwo, 35, and Humphrey Banda, 44, both from Mufakose, appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi, who remanded them to today for their bail ruling. The duo pleaded not guilty and denied ever being in the business of selling crystal meth in their neighbourhood.

Allegations are that sometime last month, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officers received a tip off that the duo was peddling crystal meth, also known as guka, dombo or mutoriro. It is alleged that on January 31, the officers were on surveillance in Mufakose and received information that Samuriwo and Banda were selling crystal meth.

They conducted an undercover operation and purchased 3g of crystal meth from the two, who were driving around Mufakose in a Mercedes Benz. It is said during the transaction, ZACC investigators informed the peace officers that the drugs were in the boot of the car.

Samuriwo and Banda were intercepted by the peace officers, and the duo tried to flee, but they were subdued. When their car was searched, a black plastic bag full of crystal meth, a digital scale, okapi knife, four used plastic sachets and US$4 352 were recovered. The crystal meth weighed 83g.

However, through their defence counsel, Admire Rubaya, Samuriwo and Banda denied that they were in possession of crystal meth. They submitted that an actual test was not conducted, and also argued that crystal meth is not listed under dangerous drugs. He also stated that the money which the investigating officers seized actually belonged to Samuriwo’s wife.

Their lawyer also complained against the arresting officers, saying they forced his clients to sign warned and cautioned statements which they never understood, as they were written in English.

He stated that Samuriwo and Banda did not understand some of the contents of the warned and cautioned statements.