Police in Mashonaland East province are desperately searching for six armed men who attacked a tobacco farm outside Marondera and escaped with 36 bales of tobacco worth US$20,000.

The suspects, who were armed with rifles, tied up security guards at Kudenga Farm before ransacking the premises and fleeing with the tobacco bales.

According to Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi, the provincial police spokesperson, members of the public with information on the whereabouts of the suspects should report to the nearest police station immediately.

On the night of the robbery, Tynage Runameso, the farm’s chief security officer, received a call around 3am notifying him of the robbery in progress. When farm workers arrived on the scene, they found that a neighboring farmer had untied three of the guards.

Police confirmed that the armed robbers made off with 36 bales of tobacco, US$120 in cash, several cellphones and a welding machine worth a total of US$20,000.

The armed robbery was reported to Mahusekwa Police Station and guards were treated for minor injuries at Mahusekwa Hospital.

An intensified manhunt is now underway to track down the perpetrators of this brazen armed robbery. Anyone with information that could lead to arrests is urged to contact police immediately.