MIDWEEK REPORTER
HARARE- At least 6 148 drug peddlers and drug users were arrested since January 2024, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere has said.
The proliferation of drug and substance abuse has prompted authorities to launch a sustained fight against the menace that mainly affect the youths.
In a post-cabinet briefing yesterday, Muswere said the government is committed to continue fighting drug and substance abuse across the country.
“Government continues to intensify its response against drug and substance abuse across the country. Since January 2024, about 6 148 people were arrested, 677 were suppliers and 5 471 were end- users, ” said Muswere.
Muswere also said a total of 106 drug and substance bases were destroyed and some liquor outlets were charged for operating without the requisite licenses.
“A total of 106 illegal drug and substance trading bases were identified, raided and destroyed in Harare, Shamva, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Bulawayo and Mutare.
“Fifty-one liquor outlets were charged for operating without the correct licenses and while 268 operators were also arrested for violating license conditions, and 17 outlets had their licenses cancelled for violating operating conditions,” added Muswere.
Authorities also conducted a total of 311 countrywide inspections on medicine outlets and 62 lines of medicines were confiscated.
