By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Harare – Two young British nationals have been sentenced to six years in prison each by a Zimbabwean court after being convicted of attempting to smuggle more than 66 kilograms of cannabis into the country.
Elisha and Simone, whose full names were withheld for legal reasons, were arrested on May 1 at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare after arriving aboard Ethiopian Airways Flight ET 873.
The arrests followed a tip-off received by Zimbabwe’s CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit, which led detectives to intercept the duo shortly after their arrival.
Upon inspection of their luggage, officers discovered 53 packets of cannabis,known locally as dagga concealed within four suitcases. Each packet was reportedly labeled with the suspects’ names.
The Harare Magistrates’ Court found both individuals guilty and handed down nine-year sentences. However, three years of each sentence were suspended, leaving the pair to serve six years behind bars.
In a statement following the verdict, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) praised the successful prosecution and said it signaled the country’s firm stance against drug smuggling.
“This conviction sends a strong message to international traffickers: Zimbabwe will not be used as a corridor for illicit drugs,” the NPAZ said.
“No matter your nationality, the law will catch up with you. Airports are not gateways for crime.”
The sentencing has drawn attention from international observers and is expected to serve as a warning to would-be traffickers attempting to use Zimbabwe as a transit route.
The British Embassy in Harare has not yet issued a public statement regarding the case.