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The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) says it has continued to record major breakthroughs under Operation Kufeza, a nationwide initiative aimed at eradicating the cultivation, production, trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs through coordinated, intelligence-led operations.
In Lusaka Province, DEC officers working jointly with their Southern Province counterparts mounted an intelligence-driven controlled delivery operation that originated from Chirundu.
DEC Deputy Public Relations Officer, Theresa Mawere, confirmed the operation and subsequent arrests in a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday.
She said the operation led to the interception of a consignment that had arrived aboard a named bus from South Africa, resulting in the arrest of a Congolese national, Musuamba Nicole Kabongo, aged 33.
Kabongo was apprehended at Lusaka’s Intercity Bus Terminus as she attempted to collect her luggage.
“A thorough search of the luggage led to the discovery of 33 pre-packs of high-grade cannabis, carefully concealed with intent to evade detection,” Mawere said.
In Luapula Province, DEC officers from the Mansa Office executed a complex operation in Muombe Village, Chembe District, leading to the arrest of 33-year-old Albert Chilufya.
He was arrested for the unlawful cultivation of 868.9 kilogrammes of cannabis plants found in his field.
In North-Western Province, the Commission arrested 24-year-old Benjamin Kindalo of Kaboko area in Kalumbila District for unlawful cultivation of 150 kilogrammes of cannabis plants and trafficking in 850 grammes of loose cannabis.
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Another suspect in the same locality, 48-year-old Joseph Kindalo, was arrested for the unlawful cultivation of 115 kilogrammes of cannabis plants and trafficking in 20.2 kilogrammes of loose cannabis, which officers found inside his premises.
In Muchinga Province, DEC officers carried out an operation in Chipunga Village, Chinsali District, resulting in the arrest of 43-year-old Moses Mulenga for the unlawful cultivation of 70 kilogrammes of cannabis plants in his field.
All suspects are currently in lawful custody and are expected to appear in court soon.
Mawere said the Commission remained firmly committed to dismantling drug networks and eliminating the trafficking and abuse of illicit substances nationwide.
She further urged the public to continue supporting law enforcement agencies by providing information that can help curb drug-related activities and protect communities, especially young people, from the dangers posed by illegal drugs.
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