CID Anti-Drug Detective Arrested for Smuggling Drugs Into Zimbabwe

A CID officer has appeared before the courts after authorities accused him of smuggling dagga and unregistered medicines into Zimbabwe.

John Mashoko, 37, serves in the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit in Beitbridge.

He appeared before Harare magistrate Lazini Ncube facing several charges.

The charges include contravening the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act.

He also faces charges of dealing in dangerous drugs.

Additionally, prosecutors charged him with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.

Detectives Launch Operation After Receiving Intelligence
The State alleges detectives received a tip-off on 18 July 2026.

The information claimed Mashoko smuggled dagga and pharmaceutical medicines into Zimbabwe a day earlier.

According to prosecutors, he allegedly used illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River.

Investigators believe he later collected the contraband using his private vehicle.

Police intelligence officers, led by Detective Assistant Inspector Simbi Padzakashamba, launched investigations.

Authorities later received information about Mashoko’s movements.

The court heard that he had booked Room 1 at Buffalo Lodge.

The lodge sits near the 15-kilometre peg along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Road.

Prosecutors allege he planned to continue travelling to Harare.

They also claim he intended to sell the drugs there.

Detectives then travelled to the lodge.

They found Mashoko’s vehicle parked outside.

Afterwards, officers maintained overnight surveillance at the premises.


Police Recover Dagga and Codeine During Vehicle Search
The State alleges Mashoko checked out on 19 July with Tawanda Kumbirai, 27.

Kumbirai works as a nurse at Beitbridge General Hospital.

He is employed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Prosecutors say Mashoko drove the vehicle while Kumbirai sat in the front passenger seat.

Detectives approached the pair and identified themselves.

They then requested permission to search the vehicle.

During the search, officers allegedly found 26 compressed packets of dagga.

The recovered dagga weighed 40.8 kilograms.

Detectives also allegedly recovered 200 bottles of 100ml BronCleer cough syrup.

The syrup reportedly contained 10mg of codeine.

Police allege the items were hidden inside the vehicle’s boot.

Authorities immediately arrested Mashoko and Kumbirai.

Investigators also seized the suspected drugs and medicines.

Furthermore, police confiscated the vehicle and two mobile phones.

The phones included a Samsung Galaxy A17 and a Samsung Galaxy A16.

According to the State, preliminary phone examinations uncovered text messages.

Investigators also found WhatsApp conversations and audio recordings.

Prosecutors claim the material relates to acquiring, transporting, distributing and selling dagga and unregistered medicines.