14 Chinese nationals arrested at a lodge in Zimbabwe over cocaine possession

HARARE – Fourteen Chinese nationals were arrested on Tuesday morning in Harare after being found in possession of an unspecified amount of cocaine.

The 14 were nabbed at a lodge in Newlands in the capital.

Police did not specify the amount of drugs that had been seized from the foreigners, as they highlighted that investigations were still ongoing.

The incident comes at a time when most Zimbabweans have been raising concerns about criminal activities perpetrated by Chinese nationals in the country. The Chinese are said to have “untouchable” status in the country due to the political influence Beijing has on Harare.

Last month, a 52-year-old Chinese national Sun Limin was arrested in Harare over illegal financial transfers amounting to US$880,000.

She was picked up by authorities at her business premises in Basma, Graniteside.

The National Prosecuting Authority alleged that she concealed the true nature and source of the funds, which are suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In January, another Chinese national, identified as Lin Wang, was apprehended for allegedly attempting to smuggle rhino horns valued at $350,000 out of Zimbabwe.

The horns were concealed within a 13-kilogram owl sculpture made of hardened plastic.