Police in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, have arrested 14 Chinese nationals at a lodge in the Newlands suburb. The group was taken into custody on suspicion of being in possession of cocaine, a dangerous and illegal drug.
The people who were arrested are men and women between the ages of 22 and 40 years old. Police officers confirmed that they found and seized some of the cocaine during the raid at the lodge. The suspects are now being kept in custody while police continue with their investigations.
Authorities said this operation is part of Zimbabwe’s wider effort to fight against drug abuse and drug trafficking. However, they have not yet revealed exactly how much cocaine was taken or given out the names of the suspects. Investigations are still in progress to find out where the drugs came from, how the group was operating, and whether more people were involved.
The arrests have caused a lot of anger and debate among Zimbabweans. Many people expressed their feelings on social media, saying they were shocked and disappointed by the incident. Some pointed out that in many countries, especially in Asia, drug-related crimes often lead to very harsh punishments, including death sentences. They argued that Zimbabwe should also apply strong penalties to discourage such crimes.
Others went further to suggest that any foreign nationals, especially Chinese citizens who are found guilty of breaking the law, should be expelled from Zimbabwe. They believe this would send a clear message that the country does not tolerate drug crimes and would help protect communities from the negative effects of drugs.
For now, the suspects remain in police custody, and the case is still under investigation. Authorities are expected to release more details once they have completed their inquiries.
