Gantsi Bust: Zimbabwean "Cannabis Farmer" Remanded in Botswana Over P250k Plantation

GANTSI, BOTSWANA — A 51-year-old Zimbabwean national has been apprehended by the Botswana Police Service following the discovery of a massive cannabis plantation at a farm in the Gantsi area. The suspect, identified as Clifford Nkomo, was arrested after a police raid on the property uncovered approximately 500 kilograms of dagga. Authorities estimate the illicit haul has a street value of P250,000 (roughly US$18,600), marking one of the region's largest narcotic busts in recent months.

According to official statements from the Botswana Police, the operation was triggered by a confidential tip-off. Upon searching the farm premises, officers found a sophisticated cultivation setup. In addition to the bulk 500kg harvest, a further sweep of the buildings revealed multiple smaller sachets of suspected cannabis weighing an additional kilogram, valued at P2,600.

Nkomo appeared briefly before the Gantsi Magistrates Court on Monday, April 13, 2026, where he was formally charged with:

• Unlawful Cultivation: Specifically for narcotic and psychotropic purposes.

  
  

• Unlawful Possession: For the bulk and processed substances found on-site.

  
  

The Gantsi Magistrate has remanded Nkomo in custody, citing the scale of the operation and the severity of drug trafficking laws in Botswana. Under the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, individuals found guilty of large-scale trafficking can face fines of up to P500,000 or imprisonment for terms reaching 25 years.

Gantsi, a district known primarily for its cattle ranching, has recently become a point of concern for cross-border drug movements between Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana. Police investigators confirmed they are probing whether Nkomo was part of a larger syndicate or if the plantation was intended for the domestic Botswana market.

"Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of this operation and whether there are other accomplices involved," a police spokesperson confirmed. Nkomo is expected back in court for a status update on April 27, 2026.

Clifford Nkomo Botswana cannabis arrest