DEC arrest four for being in possession of Mukula tree logs

The Drug Enforcement Commission in Eastern Province has arrested and jointly charged four suspects for being in possession of more than 90 logs of the Mukula Tree.

Commission Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo names those arrested and jointly charged as Bernard Banda, 31, a Businessman of Rodeyo village in Katete District, Ernest Nyau, 39, a Businessman of Mkiso village in Chipata District, Samson Mwale, 33, a Driver of Joel village in Katete District and David Zulu, 30, a Driver of Kambauma village in Katete District.

Ms Katongo says the four suspects were in possession of 93 logs of the Mukula tree contrary to the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011.

She adds that the Commission has also seized a Volvo truck and a Toyota Allion.

Ms Katongo says the four suspects have since appeared in the Chipata Magistrates Court with David Zulu of Kambauma village pleading guilty while the rest pleaded not guilty.

He says David Zulu has since been fined K7,000 in default 24 months simple imprisonment by the Chipata Magistrates Court and that trial for the other three suspects continues on 16th January, 2015.

Meanwhile the Commission has in the last seven (07) days arrested more than fifty (50) people countrywide for trafficking in various quantities of cannabis.

Those arrested include Grace Kalenga, 41, a peasant farmer of Kafubwa village in Mununga District for trafficking in 6.3kg of loose cannabis, Stan Zimba, 46, a peasant farmer of Muzolomoka farm in Lundazi District for trafficking in 6kg of cannabis and Richard Musenge, 23, a Businessman of Mubangale village in Kaputa District for trafficking in 3.2kg of loose cannabis.

And in Mwininlunga District, in Kanyama area, the Commission has arrested Robby Changunta, 30, for trafficking in 5kg of loose cannabis, Given Masa Mwisha, 27, for trafficking in 4.2kg of loose cannabis and Oscar Maaka for trafficking in 3.8kg of loose cannabis.