ZRP Displays Haul of Drugs Seized from Chita One Investments Truck

ZRP intercepts a truck registered to Chita One Investments carrying dagga and abused cough syrups along the Harare–Beitbridge Road (image source)

HARARE — The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on Thursday released images of a large consignment of illicit substances intercepted along the Harare–Beitbridge Road, saying the haul was being transported in a truck registered to Chita One Investments. The seizure, which included dagga and thousands of bottles of cough syrup, has renewed calls for tougher action against trafficking networks and tighter controls on pharmaceutical distribution.

In a post on X, the ZRP said officers recovered 221 kilogrammes of dagga packed into 14 bales, alongside cough syrups commonly abused as intoxicants. The consignment comprised 1,550 bottles (100 ml) of Broncleer, 810 bottles (100 ml) of Astra Pain, and 960 bottles (100 ml) of Benylin. Photographs released by police showed the bales and boxed syrups displayed in front of the intercepted vehicle, underscoring the scale of the operation.

Police said the interception forms part of intensified operations aimed at disrupting supply chains that fuel drug and substance abuse in both urban and rural communities. Investigations are ongoing to establish the origin of the consignment, its intended distribution network, and any corporate or individual liability linked to the vehicle and its registered owner. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether arrests have been made.

Health advocates and community leaders welcomed the seizure but urged swift and transparent prosecutions to ensure deterrence. Public-health experts warned that the growing abuse of cough syrups poses a significant risk to young people, who are often targeted by informal distribution networks. The combination of plant-based drugs and diverted pharmaceuticals highlights a dual challenge: illicit drug trafficking and weaknesses in the regulation and monitoring of legitimate medicines.

Analysts noted that the use of commercial haulage to move contraband complicates enforcement. Exploiting legitimate transport channels, they argue, calls for tighter vetting of freight operators, improved cargo inspections, and stronger coordination at checkpoints and border posts. The question of corporate liability — whether the registered owner was complicit or the vehicle was misused — is expected to be central to any legal proceedings.

While the seizure offers reassurance to communities grappling with addiction, experts stress that enforcement alone will not resolve the crisis. Sustained prevention efforts, including treatment services, youth outreach and public education on the dangers of cough-syrup abuse, are needed alongside policing to curb the flow of drugs and reduce harm.