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Woman dies after swallowing drugs during police arrest in Harare
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A 55-year-old woman, Josephine Tinarwo, died on Thursday after swallowing a large quantity of drugs she was attempting to deliver to another peddler, only to fall into a police trap, authorities have confirmed.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi announced the incident in a statement on Friday, explaining that Tinarwo ingested the drugs upon arrest.
On June 19, 2025, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs and Narcotics unit in Harare acted on a tip-off and arrested Tinarwo at a residence in Manyame Park in connection with unlawful possession of a substantial consignment of Broncleer cough syrup.
Following her arrest, Tinarwo implicated 39-year-old Hezel Titya and another unidentified suspect.
"On the same day, at around 2100 hours, the suspect was lured to Josephine Tinarwo's residence," Commissioner Nyathi stated. "Tragically, upon arrest, the suspect swallowed some of the drugs she had come to deliver to Josephine Tinarwo."
Tinarwo was rushed to Chitungwiza Hospital, where she passed away shortly after admission.
In a separate but related operation, police arrested five individuals - Grace Tagara (41), Betha Paakanengwa (31), Tadiwanashe Mandisodza (21), Patience Sithole, and Rumbidzai Hlabiso (32) - at Mbare Cabins, Redwing Mine, Penhalonga, on the same day. They face charges of unlawful possession of dagga and Aliviador pills, as well as selling beer without a liquor license.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police commended members of the public for providing crucial information that is aiding ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking nationwide.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi announced the incident in a statement on Friday, explaining that Tinarwo ingested the drugs upon arrest.
On June 19, 2025, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs and Narcotics unit in Harare acted on a tip-off and arrested Tinarwo at a residence in Manyame Park in connection with unlawful possession of a substantial consignment of Broncleer cough syrup.
Following her arrest, Tinarwo implicated 39-year-old Hezel Titya and another unidentified suspect.
"On the same day, at around 2100 hours, the suspect was lured to Josephine Tinarwo's residence," Commissioner Nyathi stated. "Tragically, upon arrest, the suspect swallowed some of the drugs she had come to deliver to Josephine Tinarwo."
Tinarwo was rushed to Chitungwiza Hospital, where she passed away shortly after admission.
In a separate but related operation, police arrested five individuals - Grace Tagara (41), Betha Paakanengwa (31), Tadiwanashe Mandisodza (21), Patience Sithole, and Rumbidzai Hlabiso (32) - at Mbare Cabins, Redwing Mine, Penhalonga, on the same day. They face charges of unlawful possession of dagga and Aliviador pills, as well as selling beer without a liquor license.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police commended members of the public for providing crucial information that is aiding ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking nationwide.
Source - NewZimbabwe
