On September 2, 2025, police in Harare carried out a significant operation at a lodge in Newlands, where they arrested fourteen Chinese nationals, aged between 22 and 40, on suspicion of possessing cocaine.
While authorities have confirmed that they confiscated a portion of the drug during the raid, they have not yet disclosed the exact quantity seized or the identities of those accused. The individuals are currently detained, pending further investigations aimed at uncovering the full scope of the alleged criminal activity.
Harare Lodge Raid: 14 Chinese Nationals Caught With Cocaine
This incident forms part of continued efforts by law enforcement in Harare to clamp down on drug-related offences. Though authorities have remained tight-lipped regarding the broader context and specifics of the operation, their actions underscore a zero-tolerance stance toward narcotics in the capital.
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News of the arrests quickly ignited heated responses from social media users in Zimbabwe. Many netizens directed scathing criticism toward the Chinese nationals, accusing them of believing they could flout the law and operate with impunity in Zimbabwe. A particularly recurring theme was a comparison with certain harsher penalties meted out to drug offenders in other countries—some even invoked the possibility of the death penalty, citing that in China such offences might be met with the ultimate punishment.
