20 Nabbed for Cultivation and Other Drug-Related Offenses in North-Western Northern and the Copper Belt.

Lusaka, Wednesday 28th February, 2024.

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has apprehended 20 suspects for the cultivation of fresh cannabis weighing 570 kilograms from North-Western, Northern and Copperbelt Provinces.

In a statement today, DEC Assistant Public Relations Officer Sydney Katongo said in the North-Western Province, the Commission apprehended and charged a trio for illegal cultivation and trafficking in cannabis weighing over 270 Kilograms.

Mr. Katongo said the suspects have been identified as Bantom Songezha, aged 45, and Caanan Hampongo, aged 45, both from the Kamabenge area in Solwezi District and Maxwell Samtemba, aged 46, from the Kabanda area in the Mwinilunga District.

He said in another Drug operation in Northern Province, eight (8) individuals were arrested for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis and trafficking of illicit drugs weighing a combined weight of over 200 Kilograms.

Mr. Katongo noted that the suspects have been identified as blessings Chilufya, male, aged 20, who is jointly charged with Wandras Mbalusha, male, aged 22, both of the Kwa TB area in Kasama District.

He said others include Saviour Mwamba, male aged 20, jointly charged with Concilia Mubanga, male aged 24, both of Munkonge Village of Kasama district, Amos Chibesha, male aged 32, jointly charged with Mwenya Emeldah, female aged 32 of Munkonge Village, James Mulenga, male aged 46, and Barbra Kabwe, female aged 35 both from Kanabangu village of Nsama District.

And Mr. Katongo added that during the Operation, one (1) suspect, identified as Steven Mazimba, a male aged 61 from Kasama town, was apprehended for trafficking in a Precursor chemical identified as Potassium Permanganate weighing 111 grams.

Meanwhile, Mr. Katongo stated that on the Copperbelt Province, the Commission also arrested Eight (8) suspects for unlawful cultivation of cannabis weighing a combined weight of over 100 Kilograms.

He said the suspects have been identified as Timothy Mwanza, male aged 24; Harrison Simuchimba, male aged 30; Frank Mwewa, male aged 25; Joseph Mulelwa, male aged 21; Josphat Mulelwa, male aged 23; Ivin Mulelwa, male aged 20, Benjamin Musanta, male aged 27, and Paul Mwambazi, male aged 48.

“All of Justina Village in Lufwanyama District. All the suspects are in lawful police custody and will appear in court soon.”

“The recent operations conducted by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) across three provinces underscore its persistent endeavour to tackle the cultivation and trafficking of illicit drugs in Zambia. These apprehensions signal that the Commission is steadfast in safeguarding communities from the detrimental impacts of illicit substances.” Mr. Katomgo said.