Two Irish Tourists, Zimbabwean Woman Fined Over Dagga Found During Harare Hotel Raid

Two Irish nationals and a Zimbabwean woman have each been fined US$110 after pleading guilty to possessing dagga discovered during a police operation at a Harare hotel.

Jodie Kinsella (37), Tadgh Joseph Byrnes (23), and Melisa Khan (42) appeared before Harare Magistrate Lisah Mutendereki, facing charges of unlawful possession of dangerous drugs. Following their guilty pleas, the court convicted all three and fined each accused US$110. They will each serve 60 days in prison if they fail to pay the fine.

The court heard that on June 24, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs and Narcotics Unit received information alleging that dangerous drugs were being kept in a hotel room occupied by the trio. Acting on the intelligence, officers proceeded to Room 1018, where the three suspects were staying. According to the prosecution, detectives obtained the occupants' consent before conducting a search of the room.

During the search, police allegedly recovered five sachets of dagga that were lying on a table inside the room. The three suspects were immediately arrested and taken to the CID Drugs and Narcotics offices in Harare for further investigations. Police also issued an exhibit seizure confirmation receipt after taking possession of the recovered substance.

Prosecutors told the court that the recovered dagga had an estimated street value of US$5.

The three accused subsequently appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court, where they all admitted unlawfully possessing the drug. After considering their guilty pleas, Magistrate Mutendereki imposed a fine of US$110 on each accused, with an alternative sentence of 60 days' imprisonment in the event of non-payment.

The convictions come as Zimbabwean authorities continue nationwide operations targeting the possession, trafficking, and distribution of illegal drugs. Police have repeatedly warned that anyone found in unlawful possession of dangerous drugs faces arrest and prosecution under Zimbabwe's criminal laws, regardless of the quantity involved. Authorities say public cooperation remains essential in combating drug-related offences and protecting communities from substance abuse and illegal drug trafficking.

Harare hotel dagga arrest