By 
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has intensified its anti-drug operations across the country, leading to the arrest of several suspects, including two notorious Tanzanian suppliers of cannabis, crystal meth, and codeine.
DEC Deputy Public Relations Officer, Theresa Mawere, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, saying the operations were conducted in line with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021.
In Lusaka District, the Commission charged and arrested Ally Ally Eliasa, a 28-year-old Tanzanian national, for trafficking 75 prepacks of cannabis weighing 75 kilogrammes.
Intelligence gathered by DEC revealed that Eliasa was working with a Tanzanian cartel that traffics cannabis from South Africa into Zambia en route to Tanzania.
In Mansa District, Luapula Province, DEC arrested Moses Sikanyika (32) and Maybin Chilembo (38) for trafficking 95 bundles of Miraa weighing 49.98 kilogrammes.
Meanwhile, in Chirundu District, Southern Province, DEC arrested Kelalyo Ibrahim William, a 36-year-old Tanzanian, for trafficking 48 prepacks of high-grade cannabis weighing 43.4 kilogrammes.
The drugs were concealed in suitcase bags aboard a bus travelling from Zimbabwe into Zambia.
In a separate operation in Livingstone District, the Commission arrested Japhet Matome (25) after he was found in possession of 24 sachets of suspected crystal meth.
Read More: Drug Enforcement Commission arrests Zambians, Zimbabweans in cross-border drug bursts
Mawere cautioned that methamphetamine abuse can cause anxiety, high blood pressure, violent behaviour, depression, liver and brain damage, and psychosis.
Additionally, in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province, DEC arrested Estella Bwalya (43), of Ntindi village, for trafficking 50 bundles of Miraa destined for Lusaka.
Still in Chirundu District, the Commission jointly arrested Kaile Wisdom Dawn (32) and Simpokolwe Chizya (25) for the unlawful importation of 900 bottles of Benylin with Codeine.
Mawere said the drugs had been seized and the suspects detained in lawful custody pending court appearances.
She warned perpetrators that the Commission was monitoring both local and international shipments and would prosecute offenders.
She also urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities to help curb drug trafficking and related money-laundering crimes.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments