DEC arrests 10 Eastern and Copperbelt Provinces 900 kilograms of loose cannabis traffickers
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Drug Enforcement Commission Public Relations Officer Mathias Kamanga
By Mathias Kamanga
Public Relations Officer
Drug Enforcement Commission
PRESS STATEMENT
Lusaka, Thursday, 8th April 2021.
The Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested ten (10) people in Eastern and Copperbelt Provinces for trafficking in over 900 kilograms of loose cannabis, contrary to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia.
The suspects have been identified as Stanley Kunda, male aged 34, Melvin Chola, male aged 27, Joseph Tembo, male aged 28, Moses Banda, male aged 29 all of John Leing Compound in Lusaka.
The four were intercepted at Nyalungwe National Parks Wildlife Checkpoint in Nyimba where they were found with nine (9) polythene sacks containing dry loose cannabis weighing 865 Kilograms.
The suspects appeared in court, were convicted, and sentenced to 4 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Further the Commission arrested 6 suspects on the Copperbelt Province, identified as Kelvin Chileshe, male aged 26, Memory Chisenga, female aged 41, Shadreck Chinyala, male aged 26, John Mumba, male aged 50, Joseph Mumba, male aged 42, Lewis Mwengwe, male aged 26 for trafficking in dry loose cannabis plants concealed in 2 Ukwa bags weighing 41 Kilograms.
The six (6) were intercepted at Sabina Toll Gate in Kalulushi and were jointly charged for trafficking in psychotropic substances contrary to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia.
The suspects appeared in court and John Mumba pleaded guilty to the charge of trafficking in psychotropic substances contrary to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia. The suspect was convicted and sentenced to 7 years imprisonment with hard labour. The case was adjourned for commencement of trial with regard to the other suspects.
In another incident, the Commission arrested Ray Russel, male aged 40 of Ganatone in Kitwe for trafficking in 4.5 kg of marijuana contrary to the Laws of Zambia. The suspect was initially apprehended by Zambia Police Service for Gender Based Violence (GBV) offences and upon searching him, was found with some balls of marijuana. The case was reported to the Drug Enforcement Commission Kitwe office and a search was conducted at his house which led to the seizure of 4.5 kg loose marijuana.
The Public is hereby informed that recent investigations conducted by the Commission have established a link between drug abuse and violence, particularly GBV. We therefore wish to appeal to members of the public to stop drug abuse as this leads to such vices as GBV and many other wrongs which go against the beliefs and values of this country.
