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The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested four suspects and seized various quantities of cannabis following intelligence-led operations in Muchinga, Southern and Lusaka Provinces.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, DEC Public Relations Officer, Allan Tamba, said the operations were part of intensified efforts to disrupt illicit drug supply chains through enhanced surveillance.
In Muchinga Province, a Joint Investigations Team comprising DEC and Zambia Police officers conducted an operation in Thendere area, Chilumbi village of Mafinga District.
During the raid, officers arrested Binwell Chanda, 59, for trafficking in 18.5 kilogrammes of dry loose cannabis and the drugs were reportedly wrapped in banana leaves and concealed in polythene bags.
In Southern Province, DEC officers from Choma District carried out an operation in Sinazongwe District that led to two arrests.
“Selina Mwalama, 51, a peasant farmer of Mwanajoke Village, was found in possession of 470 balls and loose cannabis weighing 4.6 kilogrammes,” Tamba said.
He said her relative, Lucky Siabusu, 28, an assistant shopkeeper, was also apprehended after he allegedly attempted to bribe officers with K5,000 to secure Mwalama’s release.
Siabusu has since been handed over to the Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigations.
Read More: Drug Enforcement Commission records major arrests as ‘Operation Kufeza’ intensifies
In a separate operation at the Chirundu One-Stop Border Post, officers arrested Modeste Wetu Kankonde, 37, a Congolese national.
Kankonde was intercepted while travelling from South Africa and was reportedly destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo with 2.3 kilogrammes of cannabis.
All four suspects are currently detained in lawful custody awaiting court processes.
Tamba warned that border-control operations had been intensified and that those involved in trans-national drug trafficking would be arrested and prosecuted.
He further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected drug-related activities through established channels, noting that public cooperation remains critical in the fight against drug trafficking and related offences.
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