THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has apprehended several high-profile drug traffickers across Zambia, seizing substantial quantities of cannabis, cocaine, and other illicit substances in a national crackdown.
According to a statement issued by DEC assistant public relations officer Theresa Mawere, the impressive operation covered multiple provinces including Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Central, Southern, and Western.
In Eastern Province, DEC, in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Forestry Department, arrested 26-year-old Justine Ngoma from Yatamu Village, Lundazi District.
Ngoma was caught in Nyimba District with 121.9 kilograms of dry cannabis concealed in sacks during a routine bus check at the Unya Unya checkpoint.
In Luapula Province, DEC intercepted 24-year-old Jonas Bwalya from New Mufulira, Mansa District, who was found with 800 sachets of premium cannabis weighing 1.46 kilograms and seven bottles of Benylin with Codeine at the Luamfumu Zambia National Service checkpoint.
Lusaka Province saw DEC officers conduct a successful operation at a fuel station in Lilayi, leading to the arrest of cocaine traffickers Kingsley Dominic Uche, 36, a Nigerian national, and Andrew Phiri, 39, from Chilenje South.
The duo was caught with 23.98 grams of cocaine, and their vehicle, a Toyota Mark X, was seized along with K2,950 suspected to be proceeds from drug transactions.
In Central Province, 48-year-old Samson Mwale from Chikumbi Village, Mungule, Chisamba District, was arrested with 124 packs of dry cannabis totaling 1.27 kilograms.
Additionally, 2.41 kilograms of abandoned cannabis were recovered during the operation.
Meanwhile, Southern Province operations led to the discovery of 25 kilograms of dry cannabis concealed in banana leaves and over 10 tonnes of fresh cannabis plants, which had been abandoned by fleeing suspects in the Syejumba area, Zimba District.
“A manhunt has since been launched to facilitate the arrest of suspects,” said Mawere.
“The Commission wishes to appeal to citizens living near water bodies to desist from illicit cannabis cultivation and to utilise the water for productive ventures which will contribute positively to human and social development.”
And in Western Province, DEC apprehended 26-year-old Muyunda Liboma, a notorious trafficker long on their watch list, and his accomplice Gift Nyambe, also 26.
They were found with 909 grams of high-grade cannabis.
Additionally, Barnwell Kabeleka, 25, who escaped arrest in Luampa District, is being sought for abandoning 80 kilograms of dry cannabis.
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba September 11, 2024
