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A total of 17 suspects, including three Angolan nationals, were arrested on July 4, 2025, during a coordinated operation by the joint task force on illegal fuel vending in Western Province.
The arrests followed raids on suspected illegal fuel vending sites in Mongu, Kalabo, and Senanga districts.
The operation is part of ongoing nationwide efforts to combat illegal fuel vending and smuggling, according to a joint statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday by Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) spokesperson Allan Tamba, Zambia Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, and Energy Regulation Board (ERB) Public Relations Manager Namukolo Kasumpa.
The suspects — four from Mongu, nine from Kalabo, and four from Senanga — were apprehended in connection with the illegal possession of a total of 6,090 litres of fuel.
They face charges under Section 48 (1)(b)(c) of the Energy Regulation Act and for possession of non-conforming petroleum products, in violation of Statutory Instrument No. 69 of 2017.
In addition to the fuel, the Task Force also seized over 400 empty drums and more than 200 empty 20-litre containers believed to have been used in the illegal trade.
“All the suspects have been detained in lawful custody and are awaiting court proceedings,” read the joint statement.
They urged the public to avoid engaging in illegal fuel trading, warning of the dangerous and flammable nature of petroleum products, which pose serious risks to lives, property, and the environment if mishandled.
“Citizens are further reminded that petroleum products are highly flammable and, if improperly handled, can cause devastating effects on innocent members of the public, vital infrastructure, and the environment,” the statement added.
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They encouraged all fuel dealers to operate within the confines of the law by obtaining the necessary licenses and complying with standards, procedures, and guidelines. It warned that non-compliance would result in arrests and confiscation of illegal fuel stocks.
“Members of the public are also urged to purchase fuel only from licensed and credible filling stations,” the agencies said.
They called on citizens to report any suspicious illegal fuel trading activities to law enforcement agencies, including the DEC, Zambia Police, ERB, or the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), to help prevent, detect, and combat crime.
The task force was led by the Zambia Police Service, working in partnership with the DEC, ERB, ZRA, and other relevant law enforcement institutions.
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