DEC ARRESTS 10 IN LUSAKA AND COPPERBELT FOR TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested ten (10) people in Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces for trafficking in cocaine and high-grade compressed cannabis contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Joe Mwelwa Mpande, a male aged 27 has been jointly arrested with Christopher Sinkamba, a male aged 31, Thomas Chiteta, a male aged 47 and Phethias Sinkala, a male aged 47 all of Kawama Compound in Chililabombwe for trafficking in 126.08 Kilograms of compressed cannabis concealed in woven sacks.

In a separate incident, the Commission jointly charged and arrested Abraham Chongo, a male aged 22 with Tamara Sibanda, a female aged 34 and Melford Jahdi, a male Nigerian national aged 30, all of Malembeka area in Kitwe for trafficking in 19.05 grams of cocaine concealed in a clear plastic.

After being searched, Abraham Chongo was later found with 12.44 grams of loose cannabis and 2.09 grams of cocaine. Further Abraham Chongo and Melford Jahdi were found with 5.28 grams of cocaine.

In Lusaka province, the Commission has arrested Phabian Emmanuel Bomboko, a male Tanzanian National aged 40 for trafficking in 11.3 Kilograms of high-grade compressed cannabis concealed in a clear plastic and wrapped in a duvet.

The suspect was arrested at Intercity Bus Terminus after the Commission trailed the parcel that came into the country through Chirundu border.

The Commission has also jointly charged and arrested Paul Banda, a male aged 24 with Davies Chintu, a male aged 21 for trafficking in 1.3 Kilograms of high-grade cannabis wrapped in a clear plastic. The two suspects were also arrested at Intercity Bus Terminus when they went to collect the contraband from a bus that came through Chirundu Border Post.

The Commission has noted with concern the drugs coming into the country through various border points and has therefore intensified operations in all border areas in order to curb this vice. We further wish to warn transporters that drug trafficking is an offence of strict liability which means that the person on whose custody drugs are found is deemed to be the owner.

The Commission therefore urges transporters to ensure that they know what they are carrying to avoid coming into conflict with the Law.

The suspects are currently in police custody and will appear in court soon.

Mathias Kamanga

Public Relations Officer

Drug Enforcement Commission