Police burst Lusaka gang involved in counterfeiting maize seeds

Police in Lusaka have arrested two suspects and recovered a significant quantity of counterfeit maize seeds during an operation conducted in the Mbasela and Shoram areas of Garden House Compound.

The operation, carried out on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, around 09:00 hours, followed an intelligence-led investigation triggered by an advert posted on a Facebook page named “Growing Up in Kalomo” by a user identified as George Mikunga.

Police spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, said in a statement issued in Lusaka that the arrests were made by the Intellectual Property Unit (IPU) in collaboration with officers from the Ministry of Agriculture.

According to police, Mikunga’s online advert offered “good quality maize seeds” of well-known brands — Zamseed, Seedco, and Panner — at unusually low prices of K650 per 10kg bag, raising suspicion.

Following the lead, officers apprehended Sipo Mwaanga, aged 28, of Mbasela area in Garden House.

A search at his premises led to the recovery of assorted counterfeit maize seed packages, including 17 bags of SC 657, two of SC 719, one of SC 647, two of SC 403 (all Seedco), three of Zamseed 606, one Zamseed bag without a variety number, and six Panner 53 bags, each weighing 10kg.

Upon interrogation, Mwaanga revealed that he was being supplied by Brian Mwiinga, aged 39, of Shoram area within Garden House.

A follow-up led officers to Mwiinga’s residence, where he was found with family members grading maize grains in preparation for illegal seed processing.

“A search of his house led to the recovery of a wire gauze used for grading maize grains, assorted plastic containers with paint used for colouring maize grains, 16 x 50kg bags of uncoloured maize grains, 57 x 25kg empty Seedco SC 719 bags, eight x 25kg empty Seedco SC 647 bags, 14 x 10kg empty Zamseed bags, and 69 x 25kg empty Panner seed bags,” Hamoonga said.

He said the two suspects had been charged and arrested for prohibition of sale of uncertified seed as certified seed, contrary to Section 64 of the Plant Variety and Seeds Act, Chapter 236 of the Laws of Zambia.

They also face charges of counterfeiting trademark, contrary to Section 377 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87, and prohibition of sale of goods bearing forged trademarks or false trade descriptions, contrary to Section 6(1)(a) of the Merchandise Marks Act, Chapter 405 of the Laws of Zambia.

Hamoonga said the suspects will appear in court soon.

“The Zambia Police Service wishes to advise farmers and members of the public to be cautious when purchasing seed and to buy only from reputable and well-established dealers to avoid falling victim to counterfeit products that compromise crop yields and food security,” he said.

He further urged the public to report any suspicious seed dealers or adverts to the nearest police station or the Ministry of Agriculture.

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