Senior Police Officer Responsible For Mbare District Arrested With US$19K Drug Haul After High Speed Chase

Top Cop Arrested As US$19K Dagga Haul Found After High-Speed Pursuit

A senior police officer responsible for overseeing operations in Harare’s Mbare District has been arrested after a dramatic high-speed chase that ended with the recovery of a drug consignment valued at US$19,000 (about R361,000). The arrest, confirmed on February 2, 2026, has placed the spotlight firmly on alleged criminal conduct within the police ranks, following the interception of a vehicle on the Masvingo–Beitbridge Road.

The officer was allegedly found in possession of dozens of dagga (cannabis) cobs following a pursuit that began at a police checkpoint and ended several kilometres later. The case has since been handed over to specialised investigators, as authorities stress that the investigation is still ongoing.

Arrest After Dramatic Road Chase

The incident unfolded on Monday, February 2, 2026. Reports state that Inspector Pikirai Dade Hakata, aged 53, who is responsible for operations in the Mbare District, was travelling in a silver Toyota Aqua when he allegedly failed to stop at a police checkpoint.

After a brief chase lasting several kilometres, the vehicle was intercepted. Officers then escorted the car back to the checkpoint for a detailed search.

In a statement quoted by BMetro, officers revealed what they allegedly found during the search:

“A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 83 cobs of dagga hidden in the boot and back seat. The drugs were wrapped in brown cello tape and covered with a blanket.”

The drugs were estimated to have a street value of US$19,000 (about R361,000). Inspector Hakata was arrested together with a second suspect, Ringisai Mapirwe, aged 31, who was identified as a known drug dealer from Dzivarasekwa.

Senior Officer And Alleged Accomplice Charged

Both suspects were taken into custody and transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs and Narcotics Unit in Masvingo.

Police sources quoted in the same report said:

“The two suspects are facing charges of unlawful possession of illicit drugs. Investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case.”

At the time of publication, court proceedings had not yet commenced. Details relating to ownership of the vehicle were also still under investigation.

Pattern Of Drug-Related Arrests Involving Officers

The arrest comes against the backdrop of several recent drug-related cases involving serving police officers. On January 6, 2026, a Gwanda-based detective and his accomplice were arrested at the Bubi security checkpoint with marijuana and banned cough syrups allegedly smuggled from South Africa.

In that case, police recovered 155 cobs of dagga (mbanje – cannabis) and unregistered medicines valued at US$13,250 (about R252,000).

Prosecutors told the court:

“The accused persons were stopped at a routine roadblock. A search led to the recovery of large quantities of marijuana and unregistered medicines concealed in the vehicle.”

Authorities have since reiterated that anti-smuggling operations and drug crackdowns remain ongoing nationwide.