DEC arrests three Lusaka residents for trafficking in 300kg cannabis

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested and jointly charged three people in Lusaka’s John Laing compound for trafficking in more than 300kg of cannabis.

 

Fred Njovu, 37, a peasant farmer of Nyimba District has been arrested and jointly charged with Margaret Tembo, 38, of John Laing compound and Steven Mumba, 32, of Chazanga compound in Lusaka for trafficking in 6X90kg bags of cannabis weighing 303kg.

 

DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the trio who were apprehended in John Laing compound will appear in court soon.

 

Meanwhile, two people in Chipata, Eastern Province have been sentenced to 20 years and 10 years imprisonment with hard labour respectively for trafficking in cannabis after being committed to the high court as second offenders.

 

Ngoli Gondwe, 29, a businessman of William compound in Lundazi has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for trafficking in 5.1kg of cannabis.

 

Ms Katongo said the convict was arrested by the Commission on 17^th July, 2014.

 

And the DEC Public Relations Officer stated that Kosam Squik Soko, 34, a businessman of Magwero area in Chipata has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour after he was arrested by the Commission on 2^nd July, 2014 for trafficking in 14g of cannabis.

 

She said in passing judgement, Judge Isaac Chali sitting in Chipata as High Court Judge noted that the court could not exercise leniency because the duo were second offenders and would be sentenced accordingly in order to send a strong message to would be offenders.

 

Ms Katongo explained that the minimum mandatory sentence for drug trafficking involving second offenders is 10 years while the maximum mandatory sentence is 25 years.