DEC nabs 10 drug Chibolya traffickers

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Muchinga Province has arrested five peasant farmers of Sasubele village in Shiwang’andu district for alleged unlawful cultivation of cannabis weighing over 900 kilogrammes (kgs).

Those arrested include Lewis Mukuka, 51, for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 628 kg, Crispin Katongo, 60, of the same village for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 46.3 kg and Emmanuel Katongo, 25, for trafficking in 2.3 grammes of cannabis.

Others arrested and jointly charged are Patrick Mwamba, 33, and Leonard Sampa, 44, both of Sasubele village in Shiwang’andu district for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 282 kg.

DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo confirmed the arrests in a statement released to ZANIS Lusaka on Feb 25th.

Ms. Katongo further said in Central Province, the commission has arrested Manny Mudenda, 54, a peasant farmer of Mudenda Farm in Kabwe district for unlawful cultivation of 390 kg of fresh cannabis plants.

She added that the commission has meanwhile arrested Kakundu Namanga, 47, of Mambolomoka area in Kalabo district in Western province for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 250 kg and Phinias Simalumba, 32, a peasant farmer of Mululwe area for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 81.3kg.

Meanwhile, the commission in Lusaka Province arrested 10 people from Chibolya compound for trafficking in various quantities of cannabis.

Ms. Katongo said the 10 were apprehended after an operation conducted in the area over the weekend.

She said said all suspects charged with psychotropic substance possession will appear in court soon.