News / National
2 women arrested in US$22,000 Meth smuggling plot
9 hrs ago |
183 Views
Two suspected drug dealers have appeared in court in Harare after allegedly attempting to smuggle more than two kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine worth over US$22 000 to South East Asia, concealed in a leather folder and ornamental sculptures.
Michelle Mupati (26) and Lorcadia Zhou (20) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Jesse Kufa facing charges of dealing in dangerous drugs. They were remanded in custody to today for bail consideration.
The State, represented by prosecutor Oscar Madhume, told the court the alleged offences occurred between February and March 2026.
In the first incident, Mupati is accused of orchestrating a plan on February 16 to smuggle crystal meth out of Zimbabwe after allegedly sourcing the drugs from an unknown supplier. The drugs were reportedly concealed inside a leather document folder, which was unpicked, filled and resealed before being wrapped in black tape and sent via courier from Bulawayo to an intended recipient in South East Asia.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department Drugs and Narcotics unit later intercepted the parcel following a tip-off on March 23. The substances tested positive for methamphetamine, weighing 1 112 grammes and valued at about US$11 120.
In a second count, Mupati is jointly charged with Zhou after allegedly devising a more elaborate smuggling method on March 21. The pair are said to have purchased four hippopotamus sculptures in Bulawayo, drilled them out and concealed crystal meth inside before sealing them.
The sculptures were wrapped in newspaper and dispatched via courier to South East Asia, but were intercepted by police on March 23. The concealed drugs weighed about 1.12 kilogrammes, bringing the total to more than 2.2 kilogrammes with an estimated street value exceeding US$22 000.
Police say further investigations led to the arrest of both accused in Bulawayo on April 10.
The case continues today for a bail ruling as authorities probe possible wider drug trafficking networks linked to the operation.
Michelle Mupati (26) and Lorcadia Zhou (20) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Jesse Kufa facing charges of dealing in dangerous drugs. They were remanded in custody to today for bail consideration.
The State, represented by prosecutor Oscar Madhume, told the court the alleged offences occurred between February and March 2026.
In the first incident, Mupati is accused of orchestrating a plan on February 16 to smuggle crystal meth out of Zimbabwe after allegedly sourcing the drugs from an unknown supplier. The drugs were reportedly concealed inside a leather document folder, which was unpicked, filled and resealed before being wrapped in black tape and sent via courier from Bulawayo to an intended recipient in South East Asia.
In a second count, Mupati is jointly charged with Zhou after allegedly devising a more elaborate smuggling method on March 21. The pair are said to have purchased four hippopotamus sculptures in Bulawayo, drilled them out and concealed crystal meth inside before sealing them.
The sculptures were wrapped in newspaper and dispatched via courier to South East Asia, but were intercepted by police on March 23. The concealed drugs weighed about 1.12 kilogrammes, bringing the total to more than 2.2 kilogrammes with an estimated street value exceeding US$22 000.
Police say further investigations led to the arrest of both accused in Bulawayo on April 10.
The case continues today for a bail ruling as authorities probe possible wider drug trafficking networks linked to the operation.
Source - newsday
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
