Harare — Police have been deployed at the Harare's Ximex Mall to thwart illegal activities taking place there.

Stolen phones and other contraband are finding their way to the shopping mall.

It is understood that hard drugs are being peddled at the mall.

Last week, police raided Ximex Mall and arrested several cellphone and cross rate money changers.

Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau confirmed the raid but could not divulge the number of suspects arrested.

Some of the suspects were later released and are back at the shopping mall.

Yesterday, policemen were patrolling the area and stopping dealers from conducting their illegal activities.

The Herald witnessed a few arrests being effected.

A good number of the cellphones stolen in and around Harare have been finding their way to the shopping mall.

There are also reports that drugs such as cocaine, hashish, marijuana and prescription drugs are being sold in and outside Ximex Mall.

The place became a hive of illegal activity over the past few years when the foreign currency parallel market mushroomed.

Members of the public have often complained about the disruptions caused to their daily business by the dealers.

Other places where illegal street dealing is thriving are Roadport, the Fourth Street bus terminus and the area along Cameroon Street commonly known as White House and Copacabana.