Kenyan, Eswatini nabbed for trafficking in drug; DEC heightens surveillance

A Kenyan and an Eswatini national have been arrested for trafficking in more than 19 kilogrammes of loose cannabis in separate incidents by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Southern Province.

Stephen Obura, aged 47, and Vusi Ntshingila, aged 38, have been formally charged for trafficking in psychotropic substances substances, according to DEC Public Relations Officer Hussein Khan.

Khan in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday said the offence was contrary to section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021 of the Laws of Zambia.

He said Obura was nabbed in a special operation conducted at a lodge in Kazungula and was found with 18.5 kilogrammes of loose cannabis.

“The Commission has seized a Toyota Noah registration number KCA 206L in relation to this matter,” Khan said.

He added that, on the other hand, Ntshingila was intercepted at the Kazungula One Stop Border Post.

Khan said a search of the truck he was driving, a Freightliner registration number MOTHEGB 2L, led to the discovery of 855.8 grammes of loose cannabis.

“The truck has also been seized. The suspects are detained in lawful custody and will appear in court soon,” he said.

Khan said the Commission was alive to the fact that border areas were susceptible to various transnational crimes including illicit drug trafficking by virtue of their geographic location.

He said in this regard, the Commission had heightened its surveillance measures in a bid to deal with the drug problem in the country.

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