The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested seven suspects and seized large quantities of cannabis, controlled medicines and other illicit substances during a series of intelligence led operations conducted across Copperbelt, Southern, Western and Lusaka provinces.
According to the Commission’s Deputy Public Relations Officer Theresa Mawere, the coordinated operations targeted suspected drug trafficking networks as part of ongoing efforts to curb the distribution of illegal drugs in the country.
On the Copperbelt, DEC officers from Mpongwe and Ndola districts carried out a joint operation in Roma Compound of Luanshya District, where three men were arrested for allegedly trafficking in cannabis and psychotropic substances.
The main suspect, 22 year old Mutwalo Miti of Mboya Compound, Luanshya, was allegedly found with 193 sachets of high-grade cannabis, 136 balls of cannabis, approximately 1.35 kilogrammes of loose cannabis and 12 bottles of Benylin with Codeine. Authorities described him as one of the area’s major suspected suppliers of illegal drugs.
Two other suspects, Innocent Chiwila, 21, and Emmanuel Mulenga, 22, were also arrested after officers allegedly recovered nine sachets of high grade cannabis weighing 14.7 grammes from their possession.
In a separate operation in Chililabombwe District, DEC officers arrested 54 year old Shadreck Sambuba for allegedly trafficking 12.5 kilogrammes of loose cannabis.
Meanwhile, in Southern Province, DEC officers working alongside the Zambia Police Service arrested Cryford Hamulunda, 42, in Mazabuka District after receiving information from members of the public. Officers recovered 3.7 kilogrammes of dry loose cannabis concealed in a bag.
In Western Province, a joint anti drug operation by DEC officers from Sesheke and Mongu in Sejamba and Mungambwa areas of Mulobezi District led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of a combined 124 kilogrammes of dry loose cannabis.
The suspects, identified as Kapi Flaulo, 25, and Isaac Lungu, 23, were allegedly found in possession of 56.2 kilogrammes and 67.8 kilogrammes of cannabis respectively.
In Lusaka Province, DEC officers arrested 29 year old Steven Lungu of Garden Chilulu during an intelligence led operation in Kabwata after he was allegedly found with 17 ampoules of Pethidine, a controlled substance.
The Commission says all seven suspects remain in lawful custody and are expected to appear in court.
By Mulenga Chipampe Makasa
