DEC arrests 60 during X-mas period

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) arrested over 60 people countrywide during the Christmas period for unlawful cultivation and trafficking in various quantities of cannabis.

Among those arrested is 35 year old George Matoka, a peasant farmer of Mub’anga area in Kabompo District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 676kg, Esther Kunda, 38, a peasant farmer of Kapasha village in Samfya District for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 5.7kg and Fidelis Mwansa, 38, of Musekesa village in Samfya District for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 2.85kg.

Meanwhile, the Commission in Central Province has arrested and jointly charged Stanley Malipa, 43, a Businessman of Katondo Compound in Kabwe and Darius Mwendapole, 46, a garden boy of the same compound for trafficking in 206kg of loose cannabis.

Others arrested in Central Province are 38 year old Lanza Ngulube, a bus driver of Itala Compound in Mkushi District for trafficking in 7.3kg of loose cannabis and Emmanuel Chibwe, 28, of Ndeke Compound in Kapiri Mposhi for trafficking in 5.8kg of loose cannabis.

The Commission also arrested Michael Mulenga, 28, a peasant farmer of Kabuswe village in Kasama District for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 3.7kg, Nyambe Subulwa, 24, of Makanda area in Sesheke District for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 3.62kg and Jason Tembo, 42, of Chazanga Compound in Lusaka for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 2.3kg.

And on the Copperbelt the Commission has arrested Elias Siame, 28, a Businessman of Chitimukulu Road in Chambeshi for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 65kg.

All suspects will appear in court soon.

This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo.