Lusaka, Saturday 17th February, 2024.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Northern Province has successfully apprehended four people in Kasama’s Tazara area for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 208.6 Kilogrammes.
In a statement today, DEC public relations officer Mwenge Mulenga stated that this follows a successful operation conducted on Thursday, 15th February 2024.
He said the four have been identified as Kasonde George, male aged 47, jointly charged with Rigan Lilanda, male aged 27, Isaac Sichondwe, male aged 32 and Mubanga Andrew, male aged 37.
Meanwhile,Mr. Mulenga said the Commission has arrested Regis Arlandus Johnson, a 39-year-old American national, at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone for trafficking in marijuana.
He said particulars of the offence are that on 14th February 2024, Mr Johnson arrived at the airport on a named flight from Johannesburg. During routine security checks, DEC officers discovered seven sachets of marijuana weighing 7.3 grams and cannabis sativa seeds weighing 1.1 grams concealed within a brown pouch in his backpack.
Mr. Mulenga affirmed that the suspect has since been arrested and charged under Section 15 of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021.
He said this arrest serves as a strong reminder that the DEC remains vigilant in its fight against drug trafficking across Zambian borders.
Mr. Mulenga noted the Commission has also picked up one male suspect, identified as Nelson Chileya, a male aged 25 from the Makululu area in Kabwe, for trafficking in 1.002 grams of cocaine.
He said all suspects are in lawful police custody and will appear in court soon.
Mr. Mulenga stated the existence of hard drugs in our communities is something the institution is not taking lightly and shall endeavour to pursue as part of the Commission’s commitment to protecting the communities from the harmful effects of illicit drugs.
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