CIO Officer Nabbed in Harare Cocaine Sting Operation

A senior officer from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) has been arrested in Harare after he was allegedly found in possession of close to 25 grams of cocaine.

The accused, identified as 34-year-old Francis Gerald Mugoni, appeared before Harare Magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on Saturday and was remanded in custody while investigations continue.

Authorities say the confiscated cocaine weighed 24.95 grams and is valued at approximately US$1,320.

Prosecutors told the court that detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit launched a surveillance operation after receiving intelligence on October 29 indicating that Mugoni was distributing drugs near Kensington Shopping Centre.

During the stakeout, the suspect was reportedly seen emerging from a black Nissan X-Trail at the intersection of Connaught and Argyle Roads in Avondale. Upon noticing the detectives, he allegedly fled on foot, leading to a pursuit through nearby streets.

Mugoni was eventually apprehended along Kent Avenue, where officers discovered a transparent sachet containing a white powder suspected to be cocaine.

Subsequent field tests conducted at ZRP Harare Central confirmed the substance to be cocaine. The case has drawn public attention due to the suspect’s position within a key state security agency.