The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), in Lusaka Province has unearthed a large- scale illicit cannabis cultivation scheme in Chifwema area in Kafue District.
According to a statement made available to ZANIS by Drug Enforcement Commission Public Relations Officer, Allan Tamba the exercise was due to an intelligence led operation which resulted into the apprehension of two suspects identified as Bornwell John Mulenga, male aged 50 of Kanyelele village, and Timothy Choolwe, male aged 38, of Mwelwa village.
Mr Tamba said Mulenga was apprehended in connection with the offence of Trafficking in 86.9 kilograms of loose cannabis and unlawful cultivation of 12 tonnes of cannabis, pursuant to Sections 15 and 19 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act Number 35 of 2021 of the Laws of Zambia.
He added that the other suspect Choolwe was apprehended in connection with the offence of trafficking in 14 kilograms of loose cannabis.
The Public Relations Officer stated that it is reasonably believed that the said drugs were destined for sale on the international market especially in selected Western countries where policy and legislative frameworks are skewing towards decriminalisation of possession and recreational use.
Mr Tamba however disclosed that in Solwezi District in the Northwestern Province, the Commission has jointly charged and arrested two Philippine nationals identified as Ryan Balusong, male aged 46, and Shyr John Pangan, male aged 40.
“The arrest is in connection with the offence of trafficking in 8.1 gramms of Crystal Meth and the offence of possession of instruments used for the administration of illicit drugs, pursuant to Section 25(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act Number 35 of 2021 of the Laws of Zambia,” he added.
He further added that an arrested in connection with the matter is a Zambian national identified as Patrick Chiwota, male aged 38, a resident of Kansanshi.
Mr Tamba indicated that evidence demonstrates that Chiwota was the master-mind behind the supply of the said drugs, together with paraphernalia used for their illicit administration.
Meanwhile, Mr Tamba revealed that in Livingstone District in Southern Province, the Commission conducted an operation where two individuals attempted to evade officers but ended up plunging into a stream with their vehicle after it careered off the road.
He said the two have since been identified as Eliud Ngombo, male aged 25, and Manfred Sidamba Nyama, male aged 30 both the vehicle and the suspects were retrieved, leading to the discovery of 20 kilograms of loose cannabis inside the vehicle.
He stated that upon interviewing the duo, a search was extended to their house, where officers discovered an additional quantity of 14 kilograms of cannabis.
He said all suspects arrested during the operations are in lawful custody awaiting court appearances.
Mr Tamba further re-affirmed its unwavering commitment to combating crime in order to create a conducive governance environment for sustainable national development.
He also urged members of the general public to continue reporting suspicious activities to the commission so as to create a nation free from illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
