Bulawayo Police Seize 31.8kg of Cannabis and Hundreds of BronCleer Bottles in Anti-Drug Raids

By Southerton Business Times | Bulawayo

Bulawayo police have arrested two suspects and recovered 31.8 kilogrammes of cannabis and hundreds of bottles of BronCleer cough syrup in separate anti-drug operations as authorities intensify the crackdown on drug trafficking in Zimbabwe. The suspects, Annet Sebele (38) and Fortune Tshabalala (42), both from Tshabalala suburb, were arrested during operations conducted by detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit. Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the arrests followed intelligence received from members of the public.

Inspector Msebele said detectives arrested Sebele on 1 August after receiving information that she was allegedly operating a drug distribution business from her home. Police recovered four cobs of cannabis weighing 1.8 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of more than ZiG280,000. Detectives also seized empty sachets believed to have been used to package the drug for sale. According to police, Sebele later directed investigators to another residence where Tshabalala was arrested in connection with the investigation.

In a separate operation conducted at around 4 am on 2 August in Newtown West, detectives acted on reports of suspected drug dealing at a house in the suburb. Police said officers observed several suspects loading unidentified items into a white Honda Vezel before identifying themselves. The suspects allegedly drove into the property, locked the gate and escaped by jumping over the perimeter wall into nearby bushes. A subsequent search of the premises resulted in the recovery of:

• 36 cobs of cannabis weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes

• 58 boxes of BronCleer cough syrup, each containing 50 bottles

• 447 loose 100ml bottles of BronCleer

Police estimated the street value of the recovered BronCleer cough syrup at approximately US$26,429. Investigations are continuing to identify and arrest the suspects who fled the scene.

The seizures come as Zimbabwe continues to battle rising cases of drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people. BronCleer, a codeine-containing cough syrup, has increasingly featured in police operations targeting the illegal distribution of prescription medicines, while cannabis remains one of the country's most commonly trafficked illicit drugs.

The Government has identified drug and substance abuse as a major public health and security challenge, linking it to mental health problems, crime, school dropouts and road traffic accidents.

Police have intensified intelligence-led operations against suspected drug suppliers and trafficking networks across the country. Inspector Msebele commended members of the public for assisting police investigations.

"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.

Bulawayo drug bust