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Geraldine Zaranyika Herald Reporter
A Harare man was yesterday convicted of possessing 29 bags of mbanje weighing 700 kilogrammes valued at US$49 000.

Ranganai Samhembere (38) was found guilty of unlawful possession of dangerous drugs when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Barbra Chimboza.

The matter was rolled over to today for sentencing.

The court heard that on April 13, 2018, detectives from Criminal Department Vehicle Theft Squad Harare received information that there were dealers loading some bags of mbanje into a white Toyota Regius in Damofalls.

Acting on the tip off, the detectives drove to Damofalls and intercepted the vehicle along an unnamed dust road leading to the suburb.

They arrested the driver Samhembere, impounded the vehicle and recovered the 29 bags of mbanje that were inside.

Samhembere signed a Police notebook acknowledging that he was arrested while in possession of the 29 bags.

He was taken to the Criminal Investigations Department, Vehicle Theft Squad together with his loot and motor vehicle, which will be used as exhibits. Investigations revealed that the Toyota Regius belonged to the accused. The 29 bags were weighed on April 14, 2018 in Samhembere’s presence.