Published: 10 hours ago

A senior assistant intelligence officer has appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court facing charges of illegal possession of cocaine after being allegedly caught with nearly 25 grams of the drug.

Francis Gerald Mugoni (34) was remanded in custody by magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai yesterday pending further investigations.

According to prosecutors, on October 29, detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit received a tip-off that Mugoni was dealing in cocaine around Kensington Shopping Centre in Harare.

The following night, at around 10pm, detectives set up surveillance in the area and later spotted Mugoni disembarking from a black Nissan X-Trail at the intersection of Connaught Road and Argyle Road in Avondale.

When the detectives identified themselves and attempted to search him, Mugoni allegedly fled on foot along Argyle Road, prompting a chase. He was caught along Kent Avenue, where a search reportedly turned up a transparent plastic sachet containing a white powder suspected to be cocaine.

The suspect was taken to ZRP Harare Central, where a field test confirmed the substance as cocaine.

The recovered drugs weighed 24.95 grams, with an estimated street value of US$1,320.

Mugoni was subsequently charged with contravening Section 157 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which prohibits unlawful possession of dangerous drugs.

He will remain in custody until his next court appearance, as investigations continue.
- The Standard

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