A 53 year old Lusaka man Shula Kasolo, and two Thai nationals will be dancing to the rhythm of the law as the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) beats the drum of their offences to court.
The trio were dragged to Court on charges of drugs trafficking and bribing Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers with more than K50,000 in order to be released from custody.
Kasolo,53, a resident of Lusaka’s Leopards Hill area has allegedly been one of Zambia’s most wanted drug lords, and also a ringleader in transnational drug trafficking operations.
He was apprehended on June 26, 2025, in connection with trafficking of 117 packs of compressed high-grade cannabis weighing a total of 73.9 kilograms, concealed in four suitcases.
Kasalo was jointly charged with Thai nationals namely Phuwanat Hansongkram, 25, and Den Wangngae, 30 for trafficking over 140 kilograms of marijuana.
The trio appeared before acting chief resident Magistrate, Sylvia Munyinya for allocation and possible plea.
However, they could not take plea because a Thai interpreter was not present before court.
The three accused persons are facing six counts of trafficking in marijuana, corrupt practices and prohibition of import or export of drug or precursor chemical contrary to the laws of Zambia.
In count one, the trio on June 26 , 2025 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together, did traffic in Psychotropic substances namely 73.9 kilograms of marijuana a herbal product of cannabis without lawful authority.
In the second count, the accused jointly and whilst acting together, without lawful authority imported psychotropic substances namely 73. Kilograms of marijuana a herbal product of cannabis without lawful authority.
Details in the third count, one of the accused persons, Kasolo on June 26 corruptly offered and gave K30, 000 as gratification to Maggie Lichilo a DEC public officer as an inducement or reward to release Wangngae and Hansongkram who were being investigated for the offence of Drug Trafficking.
In count four, Kasolo reportedly offered K10,000 as gratification to Japhet Tembo as a inducement to release his co-acccused.
Count five and six, Kasolo also offered DEC officers namely, Brian Chakulya and Christine Jitanda an inducement of K10,000 each to release the two other accused persons.
The court adjourned the matter to
August 18, 2025 for possible plea.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba August 10, 2025
