By Fanuel Chinowaita
Two more people have been arrested in separate drug-related cases in Manicaland after police allegedly discovered 118 dagga plants growing in a maize field in Chimanimani and recovered 38 grammes of the drug from a man at Penhalonga Business Centre.
The arrests, which occurred on Tuesday, October 27, come a day after two men from Ruwaka Village under Chief Mutambara in Chimanimani were arrested following the discovery of 770 dagga plants allegedly growing alongside maize crops in their fields.
The latest incidents bring to four the number of people reported arrested in the three cases, with police investigations ongoing.
In the Chimanimani case, Maria Mawacha, 42, of Nyamashanga Village under Chief Mutambara, was arrested after police allegedly found 118 dagga plants growing alongside maize in her field.
According to police, ZRP Cashel intelligence operatives received information around 6pm on October 27 that dagga was being cultivated in the field.
The officers reportedly approached the field posing as buyers of green maize and found Mawacha guarding her crops against baboons.
Police said they identified themselves and requested to search the field, where they allegedly discovered the 118 dagga plants growing alongside the maize.
Mawacha reportedly confirmed that the plants belonged to her.
The plants, which had an average height of one metre, were uprooted and taken to Cashel Police Station as exhibits.
She was arrested and detained at the station, while investigations continue. The matter has also been referred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs unit in Mutare.
In a separate incident, Last Dambudzo, 27, of Devule Village under Chief Chamutsa in Birchenough Bridge, was arrested at Penhalonga Business Centre after police allegedly found him in possession of loose dagga.
Police said intelligence operatives received information around 1pm on October 27 that Dambudzo was allegedly carrying the drug at Penhalonga shops.
Officers reportedly arrested him at the business centre and recovered a black plastic bag containing loose dagga from his left trouser pocket.
The substance was weighed at Penhalonga Post Office and recorded as weighing 38 grammes. It was subsequently secured at Penhalonga Police Station, where Dambudzo was detained pending court proceedings.
ZRP Manicaland acting spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrests.
The latest arrests follow the apprehension of Lovemore Zambasira, 73, and Liberty Maunganidze, 38, of Ruwaka Village under Chief Mutambara in Chimanimani, on October 26.
The two men were allegedly found cultivating 770 dagga plants alongside maize crops following a police operation prompted by a tip-off received on October 25.
Police reportedly travelled about 30 kilometres to the village with assistance from a well-wisher who provided transport.
The arrests highlight continued police operations targeting the cultivation and possession of dagga in Manicaland.
All the accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.