Martin muleya
MUTARE-Two Mozambican police officers, Felizardo Fernando Ernesto (48) and Aviso Julio Aviso (43), have appeared at Mutare Magistrate court facing charges of dealing in methamphetamine.
The duo was arrested by ZRP details and remanded in custody by Provincial Magistrate Honest Musiiwa.
Ernesto and Aviso pleaded not guilty to unlawful dealing in dangerous drugs as defined in Section 156 (1) (a) (c) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
They were represented by Nyasha Mukonyora of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners.
According to the State’s case led by Sandra Mlambo, the officers were found with four sachets weighing 41,80 grams, six sachets weighing 66,07 grams of methamphetamine respectively, at Meikles park, car park on 29th November 2025. The drugs were allegedly imported from Mozambique for resale in Zimbabwe.
“On the 29th of November 2025 at around 1900hrs, police detectives Mushambi, Thomas Makochera and Shyleen Nyamunokora were on duty when they received information to the effect that Aviso and Ernesto were in possession of dangerous drugs which they had imported from Mozambique, for selling at Meikles park, car park.
“The detectives proceeded to the mentioned place and upon arrival they found Ernesto seated in a parked motor vehicle, Mercedes Benz Mozambican Registration Number AAT160CA occupying the driver’s seat while Aviso was occupying the front passenger seat. The detectives identified themselves to Aviso and Ernesto by producing police identity cards and they informed them about the purpose of their visit,” prosecuted Mlambo.
Detective sergeant Makochera during cross examination told the court that he searched the accused persons and recovered four transparent sachets containing methamphetamine from Aviso’s right short pocket while in Ernesto’s right trousers pocket he found four transparent sachets also containing methamphetamine. He told the court that they asked the police officers to produce any document from any relevant authority in Zimbabwe which authorized them to possess such drugs and they had none.
They were subsequently arrested and escorted to CID Mutare for further management.
Mlambo opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and the need for further investigation.
The recovered methamphetamine had an estimated street value of US$660.00
