The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested 23 people for trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances contrary to the laws of Zambia.
DEC Public Relations Officer Mathias Kamanga says the suspects are from Lusaka, Copperbelt, Muchinga, Luapula and Central Provinces respectively.
ZANIS reports Mr. Kamanga said in a statement that the commission has jointly charged and arrested Richard Banda, male aged 44 years of Garden House Compound, Esther Banda, female aged 38 years of Chibolya Compound, Christopher Kapambwe, male aged 30 years and Baxter Mwaba, male aged 31 years of Bauleni Compound in Lusaka Province .
The suspects were arrested for trafficking 92.7 kilograms of cannabis contrary to section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021.
The commission grabbed three sacks of drugs as they were being transported to Chibolya adding that the motor vehicle that was used to transport the drugs has since been seized.
And the commission has jointly charged and arrested Joseph Phiri, male aged 21 years and Martin Goma, male aged 19 years both from Kuku Compound in Lusaka Province for trafficking in 1.38 kilograms of loose cannabis that was wrapped in khaki papers.
Mr. Kamanga said in the same statement that the duo were apprehended by the Zambia Police Service for theft, and the drugs were found on them upon being searched before detention and the drug case has since been handed over to DEC.
Mr. Kamanga said the commission has arrested Abel Shimeshi, male aged 40 of Chisokona area in Kitwe Copperbelt Province for trafficking in 220 bottles of Codeine.
“ The Commission Jointly charged and arrested Lombe Kabwe, male aged 24 years, Chellah Musanya, male aged 16 years, Salifyanji Simwinga, and male aged 20 years, Mathews Chisha, male aged 20 years, William Mushota, male aged 22 years, and Ezra Simusokwe aged 23 years all from Chiwempala area in Chingola area for trafficking in suspected heroine and loose cannabis, “ he said.
Mr. Kamanga said DEC arrested Micheal Katilo, male aged 22 of Nsofu area in Chililabombwe for trafficking in 8 strips of suspected diazepam and 30 grams of loose cannabis.
The commission has jointly charged and arrested Kelvin Mwila, male aged 32 years, Ellisa Kanyanyamina, male aged42 years and Mathews Mulenga, male aged 22 years of Mpika District Muchinga Province for trafficking in 2.16 kilograms of loose cannabis.
Mr. Kamanga said the commission jointly charged and arrested Kennedy Mumba, male aged 35 year of Itala Compound in Mkushi District Central Province for trafficking in 2.16 kilograms of loose cannabis.
He further said that the commission has jointly charged and arrested Happy Chilabi, male aged 39 years Muselepe village and Gabriel Musonda, male aged 30 of Chungwe village of Samfya District in Luapula Province for unlawful cultivation of 20.5 kilograms of fresh cannabis plants.
Mr. Kamanga said the commission arrested Evans Chimese, male aged 38 years of Chungwe village in Samfya District for trafficking in 15.5 kilograms of dry loose cannabis that was found in his house.
He further said that the commission arrested Felix Sondashi, male aged25 years of Kabuta village, Mansa District for trafficking in 1.83 kilograms of dry loose cannabis.
Mr. Kamanga added that the Mansa office has also arrested Richard Chalwe, male aged 40 years of Mutendere valley view in Lusaka for trafficking in 47 grams of high grade dry loose cannabis.
“The suspects are currently in police custody and will appear in court soon,” he said.