Mbare Cop Captured in US$19,000 Drug Bust After Highway Speed Chase

 

A senior police officer has been arrested in Masvingo after being caught in possession of illegal drugs worth an estimated US$19,000 following a dramatic car chase.

Inspector Pikirai Dade Hakata (53), who is in charge of operations in Mbare, was apprehended on Monday together with his associate, Ringisai Mapirwe (31), a suspected drug dealer from Dzivarasekwa.

The arrest came after Insp. Hakata, who was driving a silver Toyota Aqua registered in the name of Oliver Musekiwa of Harare, attempted to dodge a police roadblock along the Masvingo–Beitbridge highway.

Police officers pursued the vehicle and managed to stop it about five kilometres from the checkpoint.

A subsequent search of the car uncovered 83 cobs of dagga hidden in the boot and rear seats. The drugs had been wrapped in brown cello tape and concealed under a blanket.

Both men were taken into custody and are currently being held at the Masvingo CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit as investigations continue and charges are being processed.