The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
DRUG peddlers in Bulawayo have invented a new way of concealing their illicit act by using cocaine and mbanje as ingredients to bake muffins which they openly sell on the streets, it has been confirmed.
The latest invention has seen the proliferation of muffins on the streets where those laced with drugs are referred to as “space muffins”. Police last week arrested one of the drug peddlers but he escaped with a fine after the muffins started rotting before they could be taken for testing to establish the level of drugs in them.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the arrest and said investigations were continuing.
“Police arrested a man in connection with drug dealing. He was found in possession of two twists of marijuana and muffins baked using the drug,” she said.
Insp Simango added that police wanted to take the muffins for forensic examination in Harare but failed to do so as they were getting bad.
“We failed to take the muffins for forensics but we did manage to get information on the supplier,” said Insp Simango.
The drug dealer was identified as Anthony Mguni and was therefore let off after paying a fine after being charged with illegal possession of drugs. Insp Simango said as police they have the capacity and authority to vet criminal charges.
“As police we have the capacity to look at the offence and derive a verdict. In this case we found it to be a minimal offence and he was made to pay a $20 fine,” she said.
She appealed to members of the public to desist from buying unknown food stuffs from strangers.
“We are appealing to members of the public to desist from buying these foods. We are also urging parents to advise their children on the dangers of this as well. These drugs are addictive and pose serious health risks,” she said.
According to sources in the police, Mguni was arrested following a tip off, after some teenagers began acting hysterically after consuming the muffins laced with illicit drugs.
“One girl only came back to her senses after two days. She wasn’t able to do anything except sleep,” said the source.
The source added that the muffins came in different flavours, which fetch different amounts.
“I am told these space cakes or muffins have different flavours, some are baked or prepared with cocaine and or marijuana. They are then sold on the street. Those who know can distinguish these muffins because they are called space muffins,” said the police officer.
Over the years, drug dealers have devised methods to evade arrest at the same time coming up with new concoctions of drugs that are consumed mainly by teenagers. It was reported in the past that drug dealers were forming syndicates with employees at local morgues where they buy embalming compound which in turn is used by addicts as an intoxicating substance.
The substance, which comes in both liquid and powder forms, is used in preserving corpses in mortuaries by making the body an unsuitable host for bacteria and other organisms, in the process slowing down decomposition. A number of drug addicts have turned to cough mixture known as Broncleer Codeine Cough Syrup which they consume to get high.
