By 
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has reportedly arrested 54 individuals across the country for trading in illegal cultivation, trafficking and possession of cannabis.
The Commission is said to have conducted an operation, which led to the seizure of fresh plants and dry loose cannabis weighing over 1.89 tonnes.
Public Relations Officer, Mwenge Mulenga, said in a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday that 17 notorious drug ring leaders were apprehended in hard-to-reach communities on the Copperbelt.
Read More: DEC launches manhunt for two suspects involved in cultivation of marijuana in Monze District
He, however, could not provide any specific names or charges for each individual, but disclosed that all the suspects were apprehended with a total of 35 kilogrammes of dry loose cannabis.
Mulenga reported that in Northern Province, the Commission confiscated over 1.3 tonnes of fresh cannabis plants and 34.8 kilogrammes of dry loose cannabis from Anthony Bwalya Kasumba, aged 34, of Nondo village in Senga Hill District.
He said Kasumba, a former convict, abandoned the contraband and was presently evading authorities.
Mulenga further identified other suspects as Kabwe Silungwe, Obrey Silungwe both from Chikoti village in Senga Hill District involved in unlawful cultivation of 35 kilogramme of fresh cannabis plants.
In Northern Province, he said the Commission arrested two suspects for unlawful cultivation and trafficking in cannabis weighing a combined weight of over 300 Kilogrammes
He mentioned the suspect as Fred Sikasote, a 32-year-old male from Iyendwe Village in Mpulungu District who was discovered with fresh cannabis plants weighing 305 kilogrammes.
Mulenga stated that Sunday Sikatunga, a 32-year-old male from Kungu Village in Kasama was also arrested for trafficking in dry loose cannabis weighing 2.7 kilogrammes.
DEC further arrested Kayombo Majimela, a male aged 28 from Lishipa village and Kapalu Liwate, a male aged 44 from Liwate village in Chavuma District for illegal cultivation of fresh cannabis weighing over 200 Kilogrammes.
“In Solwezi District, a trio identified as Aaron Chisola, male aged 30, Yanga Womba, male aged 20, and Luka Kasanga, male aged 34, all of Mbonge Village in Solwezi district, were arrested for illegal cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 16 Kilogrammes,” Mulenga stated.
In Luapula Province, the Commission arrested five suspects which included Alex Chansa, Benjamin Yumba, John Mwila, Benard Kaluba and Kaluba Mwila.
In Muchinga province, Mulenga explained that they conducted a joint operation with the Zambia Wildlife Authority, leading to the arrest of two suspects for trafficking in 126 kilogrammes of loose cannabis.
He said the contraband was concealed in dry banana leaves packed in polythene bags.
Mulenga named the duo as Barnabas Mwila and Felix Mwila, who were apprehended for trafficking in 65.5 kilogrammes of loose cannabis and 60.5 Kilogrammes of cannabis respectively.
“Three individuals believed to be close relatives of the suspects attempted to bribe DEC officers with K1000 cash, but officers maintained their integrity by arresting them together with the other suspects.
“The three have been identified as George Fube, aged 40, Besa Mulenga, male aged 46, and Saviour Bwalya, male aged 26, all of Chimatila Village,” he said.
Mulenga: mm added, “The three relatives have since been detained at Isoka Police Station and money has been seized pending further investigations and handover to the Anti-Corruption Commission.”
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments