Two Foreign Nationals Caught at RG Mugabe Airport with Nearly 70kg of New Cannabis Strain

Authorities at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport have apprehended two foreign nationals who attempted to smuggle nearly 70 kilograms of a new strain of cannabis into Zimbabwe.

The pair, arriving from Thailand, were found with four large suitcases packed with the illicit substance, identified as a low-odour variety of cannabis known as “skanky.”

Unlike the traditional form of mbanje, which has a strong and distinctive smell, this particular strain is far less pungent, making it easier to transport and conceal.

National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the arrests and noted that investigations are still ongoing. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police has arrested two foreign nationals arriving from Thailand at RGMI Airport for drug trafficking. They were found in possession of four monarch suitcases containing the contraband,” he stated.

The total weight of the drugs found in the suitcases was 69.9kg, broken down as follows: 18.5kg, 17kg, 18.4kg, and 16kg, respectively.

This case comes amid rising concerns about a shift in Zimbabwe’s drug landscape, with increasing reports of the “skanky” cannabis strain entering the country, mostly from South Africa. Law enforcement agencies have noted a surge in trafficking of this greenhouse-grown cannabis, with recent confiscations surpassing 100kg within a single week.

According to authorities, South Africa remains the main source of both this cannabis strain and other illegal substances such as crystal meth. Cocaine and heroin, on the other hand, are typically brought into Zimbabwe via air travel or smuggled from South America.

In response, Zimbabwean law enforcement has stepped up surveillance and enforcement operations aimed at dismantling drug networks across the country.

In separate operations, police intercepted a Toyota Quantum minibus at the Esigodini Tollgate, resulting in the arrest of Dennis Ndlovu (26) and Edward Phiri (32) for possessing 100 bottles of Broncleer cough syrup, each 100ml in volume.

Meanwhile, another bust involved an Inter Africa Bus where the driver, Johannes Marange (55), and conductor, Kelvin Rufayi (30), were caught with unregistered pharmaceuticals, including Asfra Pain Syrup, Broncleer, and Adco Salterpyn, valued at over US$18,000.

Additionally, police arrested a passenger identified as Patsten Kureya (34) on a Blue Circle bus along the Harare–Chirundu Road for allegedly smuggling alcohol.