Crimes and Courts
BULAWAYO – Police in Bulawayo have seized a massive consignment of illegal codeine-based cough syrups with a street value running into thousands of dollars, though the driver of the vehicle managed to flee the scene in a daring escape.
The significant bust took place on September 15 when vigilant officers on an anti-smuggling operation stopped a Toyota Hilux along Solusi Road. A search of the vehicle uncovered 1,536 bottles of banned cough syrup.
In a statement, police confirmed the recovery of “239 x 100ml bottles of Benylin cough syrup and 1,297 x 100ml bottles of Broncleer cough syrup.”
The driver has been identified as Malvin Ncube (36), who is now the subject of a widespread manhunt. He faces charges of smuggling and possession of dangerous drugs.
Health experts classify these syrups as illegal substances due to their high codeine content, an addictive opioid. Abuse can lead to a morphine-like high, respiratory failure, liver damage, seizures, and death.
A source from the National Drug and Substance Abuse Taskforce emphasized the severity of the issue, stating,
“This is not just cough medicine. It is a gateway drug that destroys young lives.”
This seizure is part of the government’s intensified crackdown under the Zimbabwe National Drug Master Plan, which has seen increased raids, public awareness campaigns, and tighter border controls.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele reiterated the force’s commitment, saying,
“Every bottle we take off the streets is a life saved. We urge communities to report these dealers before more youths fall victim to this poison.”
Authorities have warned drug traffickers that Zimbabwe will not be a playground for peddlers of death in a bottle.
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