…over 2000 seedlings also raided by police
Fredrick Moyo
CHIVI-Police recently arrested a 38-year-old drug dealer who was in possession of over 1000 marijuana plants in Gwenhamo village under Chief Chivi.
Acting on a tip-off, police officers arrested John Mawuka on September 15, 2021, at around 5pm and recovered over 1000 marijuana plants that were slightly above one metre in height.
They also recovered 2 kilograms of unpacked marijuana, 31 twists (as balls of mbanje are referred to) and over 2000 marijuana seedlings in the accused’s garden.
Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa applauded Chivi villagers for taking a lead in combating drug dealing and warned those involved in the sale of harmful drugs.
“We want to thank Chivi community for giving us such important information. We encourage other communities to emulate the good gesture as it works towards the betterment of our own societies.
“We want to warn criminals dealing in drugs that the long arm of the law will not spare them,” said Dhewa.
The recovered marijuana was taken to Chibi Police station and will be produced in court as exhibit.
Last month a police officer was reportedly caught with 50kgs of mbanje that he was allegedly transporting from Chipinge to Chiredzi using a Honda Fit vehicle.
The arrest comes barely three days after government reiterated its commitment to eradicate drug abuse amongst the youths with Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa highlighting that government is contemplating the introduction of recreational facilities by local authorities as a way of occupying the young generation.
The post cabinet briefing also saw government declaring war on drug traffickers and other related cartels in the business with an operation code-named ‘Clean Harare’ being the first to be launched.
