Trymore Tagwirei

MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO-Police opened an anti-drug blitz on motorists driving into Masvingo this morning and a haul of a total of 60kgs of marijuana and other drug substances was recovered.

A total of 10 suspects were arrested and a church leader with the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, Rev Simbarashe Sithole has called for stiffer sentences for drug peddlers.

Police this week started a nationwide anti-drug campaign as the abuse of drugs among the youth reached alarming levels and some schools have actually expelled students after they were found with drugs.

The campaign in Masvingo was high-powered with Commissioner, David Mahoya, the officer-commanding province himself present at the roadblocks manned along the main roads entering Masvingo.

The operation saw vehicles forming long queues as Police entered into buses and searched every passenger one by one. Every motor vehicle was also searched in one of the most thorough vehicle searches by the Police.

The buses found with mbanje were coming from Chipinge. The mbanje was contained in sacks and the woman arrested with the biggest haul was proceeding from Chipinge to Zvishavane.

“We launched the anti-drug operation campaign today where we are searching for drugs on buses and vehicles used by drug peddlers. On this operation Police recovered about 60kgs of marijuana and other drug substances. All the drugs were found in bags and buckets of the passengers in buses.

“Police arrested 10 suspects found in possession of marijuana and other drugs. We attribute a lot of the crimes we see today to drug dealers

We want communities and church leaders to fight drug-abuse because drugs are destroying the future of children. Report to Police anyone you see selling dangerous drugs,” said Commissioner Mahoya.’’

A number of church leaders attended the operation.

“Most children take drugs because of peer pressure and our role as the church is to preach the dangers of abusing drugs. Some children are no longer going to school because of drugs abuse. We call for stiff sentences on drug peddlers and abusers,” said Rev Sithole.