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The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has unearthed a manufacturing plant involved in the production of suspected counterfeit fertiliser in 9 Miles and Meanwood Vorna Valley areas of Chibombo and Chongwe Districts.
DEC Public Relations Officer, Allan Tamba, said four people have been arrested in connection with the matter.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Tamba identified those arrested as 40-year-old Iwa Siame, an Agricultural Consultant, and three businessmen identified as 34-year-old John Ngulube, 49-year-old Fortune Kalima and 45-year-old Stan Penti.
He said the four have been charged with Production of Farming Requisites in a Non-Registered Plant, Possession of Property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime, Conspiracy to Commit Felony, and Money Laundering.
Particulars were that on dates unknown, but between January 1, 2025 and September 19, 2026, Iwa Siame, John Ngulube, Fortune Kalima and Stan Penti, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, did manufacture, compound and process farming requisites in 9 Miles and Meanwood Vorna Valley, at premises not legally registered.
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“The suspects were found in possession of 739 bags of suspected counterfeit fertiliser, raw materials and equipment derived from, or used in the unlawful enterprise, and had conspired to set up an unauthorised operation intended to defraud the public through deceptive packaging and distribution,” Tamba said.
He said having reason to believe that the money realised from the sale of the counterfeit fertiliser was a proceed of crime, they did engage in money laundering by using the said money to purchase property for their own benefit.
Tamba disclosed that the counterfeit fertiliser has since been seized, while the suspects have been detained in lawful custody and will be appearing in court soon.
“Members of the public in general, and farmers in particular, are hereby encouraged to exercise maximum caution when procuring farming inputs such as fertiliser in order to ensure that such products are only sourced from legitimate suppliers and distributors,” he said.
Tamba further urged citizens to remain alert and to report suspicious activities to the Commission so that by acting together, crime can be effectively combated and Zambia’s socio-economic growth enhanced.
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