Review the laws for drug dealers
Police urges government
Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has called on the government to review the laws to cater for all types of drugs, citing the country’s lenient laws towards drug dealers and consumers.
The Plea
Commissioner-General Matanga made the plea yesterday during the Conference held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo on 12 April.
Matanga said the sentences were not enough of a deterrent to drug dealers, consumers and emerging practices.
Sentences Too Lenient
“Sentences for drug dealers and consumers are still so lenient that they are still very far from disincentivizing these practices. Drug dealers are getting away with non-deterrent sentences and in some cases community service sentences. At times the sentences are nothing more than a slap on the wrist,” said Commissioner General Matanga.
Laws Amended
Matanga also indicated that our laws must be amended to adequately cater for all types of drugs and practices that are emerging accordingly.
The Police Commissioner-General emphasised that the drug problem is a clear manifestation of highly sophisticated and syndicated networks of transnational organised criminal activities.
Influences
Commissioner-General Matanga said, “We have observed that peer influence among youth as well as deceitful and enticing use of social media to package and spread narratives that portray drug taking as an admirable lifestyle are some of the factors abating the increase the uptake of drugs in our society.”
Health Complications
He cited drugs and substances such as mutoriro (Crystal Meth), Broncleer cough mixture, marijuana, injectables, tablets, illicit brews and spirits have caused untold physiological and psychological health complications; immorality as well as antisocial behaviour.
Plunge the World in Drugs
“We are fully aware that what we face today as a drug and substance abuse problem is a clear manifestation of highly sophisticated and syndicated networks of transnational organised criminal activities which are interwoven. Syndicates dealing in both plant-based and synthetic drugs and substances are spirited and highly determined to plunge the world with dangerous drugs and substances out of which they are making unimaginable sums of money,” said Commissioner General Matanga.
Stakeholders
Commissioner-General Matanga highlighted that tackling the drug problem can only be meaningful through effective collaboration among several stakeholders, including both state and non-state actors. He promised an unwavering determination to save future generations from the drug threat.
Government Investments
Matanga urged the Government to invest in state-of-the-art technologies at the country’s ports of entry and exit to combat the smuggling of illicit drugs and substances.
Lack of Resources
Commissioner-General Matanga highlighted that despite the police force’s efforts, the country is still grappling with drug and substance abuse, and additional resources are needed to win the fight against the scourge.
Arrests
He revealed that police have arrested more than 4 000 people, including 466 suppliers, and have confiscated and destroyed large quantities of substances between January 2023 up to date.
Matanga disclosed that drug mules from Brazil, India, Nigeria, and Latvia have been arrested while using points of entry to move the contraband.
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