The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has apprehended a 33-year-old Congolese woman identified as Musuamba Nicole Kabongo at Lusaka’s Intercity Bus Terminus as she attempted to collect her luggage, which contained 33 pre-packs of high-grade cannabis.
Speaking in a statement, Drug Enforcement Commission Deputy Public Relations Officer Theresa Mawere says the consignment came through a named bus from South Africa and was carefully concealed with intent to evade detection by officers.
Ms. Mawere says DEC officers, in collaboration with Southern Province counterparts, mounted an intelligence-led operation involving a controlled delivery originating from Chirundu.
She added that DEC officers from the Mansa office have arrested 33-year-old Albert Chilufya, a male suspect, for unlawfully cultivating 868 kilogrammes of cannabis in his field in Muombe Village, Chembe District.
The Commission has arrested Benjamin Kindalo, a 24-year-old male of Kaboko area in Kalumbila District in North-Western Province, for unlawful cultivation of 150 kilogrammes of cannabis plants and trafficking in 850 grammes of loose cannabis.
Another suspect identified as Joseph Kindalo, 48 of the same area has also been arrested for unlawful cultivation of 115 kilogrammes of cannabis plants and trafficking in 20.2 kilogrammes of loose cannabis, which was found inside his premises.
Additionally, in Muchinga Province, DEC officers in Chipunga Village of Chinsali District have apprehended Moses Mulenga, aged 43, in connection with the offence of unlawful cultivation of 70 kilogrammes of cannabis plants in his field.
The Commission has urged members of the public to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies by providing information that can help dismantle drug trafficking networks and protect communities, especially children and youth, from the dangers associated with illicit drugs.
By Mutinta Hamusankwa.
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