By Judith Nyuke
A Mbare Magistrate granted US$150 bail each to 11 of the 14 suspects arrested for unlawful possession of unregistered medicine.
The suspects Brenda Sango (35), Rumbidzai Chinyamakobvu (38), Melany Gutsire (39), Tafadzawa Makwarimbna (36), Charles Kakomwe (34), Rufaro Munyanyi (42), Ephiphania Norest Moyo (43), Beauty Madamombe (52), Mascline Dziva (47), Portia Chimombe(38) and Tambudzai Shoko (37) appeared before Magistrate Rangarirai Gakanje charged with unlawful possession of specified unregistered medicines.
They were represented by lawyers Shepherd Kudzanayi Makonde and Steven Chikotora.
The State represented by Francesca Mukumbiri alleges that on the 23rd of March 2025 at about 2000 hours, Detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics, Harare received information to the effect that there was a rigid truck Registration number AFG 3713 which was coming from Bulawayo heading to Harare and was using Harare – Bulawayo road loaded with boxes of unregistered medicines.
Detectives then proceeded to Chegutu and waylaid for the truck.
The court heard that on the 24th of March 2025 at around 0300 hours, detectives spotted the truck barted driven by Accused [1], with Accused (3) and [3] as his assistants.
Detectives started following the truck at a distance. Accused sensed danger and started speeding off. He then turned into Chegutu Murombedzi road.
Detectives made a follow up of the truck and caught up with it before Murombedzi growth point turn off, where they stopped the truck.
A brief search was made on the vehicle and detectives discovered that the truck was carrying unspecified medicines in the form of Broncleer cough syrup, Benylin with codeine cough syrup and Salterpyn Cough Syrup.
Detectives then intercepted communications which were being made by Accused [4] -[14]. They discovered that accused [4] – [14] were the recipients of the consignment.
Detectives started communicating with the unsuspecting recipients and they agreed to meet in Braeside, Harare.
Detectives then proceeded to the said rendezvous point where accused [4] [14] came to claim the consignment and they were arrested as soon as they received the unregistered medicines.
The recovered unregistered medicines were taken to CID Drugs and Narcotics, Harare and kept as exhibit.
The seized medicines have a street value of US$210 800-00.
