Blitz on drugs nets nearly 8 000

Diana Nherera

POLICE have arrested 7 991 people for engaging in drugs countrywide, of which 6 191 are men and 1 810 are women.

Speaking at the belated International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemorations at Stodart Sports Ground in Mbare today, National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 1 224 were referred to the courts while 6 667 were fined.

“What is most painful is that people engaging in drugs the most are below 35 years. They are the ones whom we expect to be the future leaders and work for the country to go forward,” he said.

“Since January we have arrested 5 879 youths engaging in drugs. So let’s fight this scourge.”

Comm Nyathi said since January, police have arrested people selling illicit brews.

“There are some companies lying to be people that they have medicinal properties, giving them different names like Stoney Ginger, Ranger etc without the necessary paperwork and did not go through the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe and Government institutions putting the health of the public at risk resulting in those taking the brews engaging in things like rape and murder,” he said.

“So we urge companies that wish to sell alcohol to follow the law. If laboratory tests are supposed to be carried out, then they should be done. Food and drinks should be manufactured in a hygienic place, unlike what we are seeing; dust and lack of ablution facilities.

“They use industrial ethanol and water and lie to people that they are selling wine, damaging people’s internal organs and making people have stomach pains. As Zimbabwe Republic Police we don’t want that.”

Officer Commanding Harare Province, Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru said since January the police in collaboration with key stakeholders have embarked on several operations to curtail drug and substance abuse in communities chief among them Operation No to Dangerous Drugs and Substance Abuse targeting drug syndicates.

He said police have arrested 4 236 drug addicts in Harare Province.

“And we expect to net more in our ongoing future operations. By intensifying these operations, we aim to create a safe and secure environment,” he said.

Comm Chikunguru said police in Harare had arrested eight firms for brewing illicit drugs.

“Let me warn those who have chosen drug peddling as their source of living that your days are numbered,” he said.

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