HARARE – Drug trafficking in Zimbabwe has risen as criminal networks groom mules to smuggle
packets of hard drugs into the country, according to the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (Mcaz) and ZRP CID drugs and narcotics squad.

The smuggling has been blamed for the escalating drug and alcohol abuse among the youths.
Speaking at an awareness campaign on drug and alcohol abuse, Mcaz projects and public relations officer Shingai Douglas Gwatidzo and detective Majaha Mkwananzi from the CID drugs and Narcotics squad said they are on high alert and
working tirelessly to reduce drug supply through raids at the ports of entry and on haulage trucks transporting the drugs.

Traffickers lure mules by getting them hooked on drugs or offering lavish pay to transport the drugs
into the country, in a sophisticated cross-border smuggling ring.
“There have been raids and arrests of haulage trucks transporting drugs at our country’s ports of entry and the law enforcement agency has intensified its operations as we work towards cutting these drugs supply,” Mkwananzi said.

He said while the law works on drug supply reduction on the streets, the health sector and the community will also have to work on the demand reduction and ensure that people quit
taking in these illegal and harmful drugs.
“The CID drugs and Narcotics office is working tirelessly to apprehend offenders and monitor places where drugs are rampant which are called
‘flash points’ where youths, pupils frequent for such activities,” said Mkwananzi.

Mcaz said it is working with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and the ZRP at the ports of entry to intercept the haulage trucks which
transport the illegal drugs.Daily News