News / Local
Trio caught with 223 bottles of highly intoxicating cough syrup at Zahara show
15 Aug 2012 at 06:42hrs | Views
THREE men arrested on Saturday for smoking mbanje at the Zahara musical show in Bulawayo.
The trio were later found with more than 220 bottles of Bron Clear cough syrup, a highly intoxicating substance, which they intended to sell to revellers. The substance is banned in Zimbabwe as it can be abused by people because of its stimulating effect. If taken in excess, it can cause a feeling of euphoria.
The suspects allegedly smuggled the drug from Botswana.
Acting Bulawayo police spokes-person Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu identified the suspects as Moses Mpofu (21), of 141 Emakhandeni, Nyasha Munatsi (21), of 7 Holm Road, Woodlands and Lovejoy Machapararwa (21), of Insimba Road, Selborne Park.
The trio was arrested at Queens Sports Club.
Asst Insp Ndlovu said the trio would be charged with possessing dangerous drugs."We have arrested three young men who were found in possession of dangerous drugs that are banned in terms of the country's laws. Mpofu, Munatsi and Machapararwa were spotted by members of the public smoking mbanje in a car at a musical show on Saturday. The members of the public alerted policemen who were on patrol who then approached the trio and conducted body search on them," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
He said upon search the three men were found in possession of 10 sachets of mbanje in the car.
"The three were immediately arrested and taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station where upon further search, a total of 223 bottles, each measuring 100ml of Bron Clear, with Codeine Cough syrup were recovered in the boot of the car.
"The substance is a banned product in the country," Asst Insp Ndlovu said.
"The accused said they bought the drugs from Francistown and smuggled it through Plumtree Border Post. They said they wanted to sell it at the show."
The police spokesperson said the car and drugs were being held by the police as exhibits.
"Investigations are still going on and we expect the three men to go to court soon. As police we would want to thank members of the public for assisting us with information because we can only achieve total and effective policing with their assistance.
"We understand the suspects wanted to sell the drugs at the show and we want to urge people to desist from taking dangerous or any drugs without a doctor's prescription. Investigations have shown that the said drug is very intoxicating and has seen many people who drink it getting excessively drunk," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
The trio were later found with more than 220 bottles of Bron Clear cough syrup, a highly intoxicating substance, which they intended to sell to revellers. The substance is banned in Zimbabwe as it can be abused by people because of its stimulating effect. If taken in excess, it can cause a feeling of euphoria.
The suspects allegedly smuggled the drug from Botswana.
Acting Bulawayo police spokes-person Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu identified the suspects as Moses Mpofu (21), of 141 Emakhandeni, Nyasha Munatsi (21), of 7 Holm Road, Woodlands and Lovejoy Machapararwa (21), of Insimba Road, Selborne Park.
The trio was arrested at Queens Sports Club.
Asst Insp Ndlovu said the trio would be charged with possessing dangerous drugs."We have arrested three young men who were found in possession of dangerous drugs that are banned in terms of the country's laws. Mpofu, Munatsi and Machapararwa were spotted by members of the public smoking mbanje in a car at a musical show on Saturday. The members of the public alerted policemen who were on patrol who then approached the trio and conducted body search on them," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
He said upon search the three men were found in possession of 10 sachets of mbanje in the car.
"The three were immediately arrested and taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station where upon further search, a total of 223 bottles, each measuring 100ml of Bron Clear, with Codeine Cough syrup were recovered in the boot of the car.
"The substance is a banned product in the country," Asst Insp Ndlovu said.
"The accused said they bought the drugs from Francistown and smuggled it through Plumtree Border Post. They said they wanted to sell it at the show."
The police spokesperson said the car and drugs were being held by the police as exhibits.
"Investigations are still going on and we expect the three men to go to court soon. As police we would want to thank members of the public for assisting us with information because we can only achieve total and effective policing with their assistance.
"We understand the suspects wanted to sell the drugs at the show and we want to urge people to desist from taking dangerous or any drugs without a doctor's prescription. Investigations have shown that the said drug is very intoxicating and has seen many people who drink it getting excessively drunk," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
Source - TC
