South African nabbed for illegal trade in 2,000 mukula tree logs

The Drug Enforcement Commission through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit has arrested a 52 year-old South African national for illegal trading in over 2,000 logs of the mukula tree.

Commission Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo says Sarel Stephanus Putter, 52, a South African Consultant residing at Plot No. 1296 Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Road, New Avondale, Lusaka has been arrested for illegal trading and unlawful possession of the Biological Resources Diversity also known as ‘mukula tree’ contrary to the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that Sarel Stephanus Putter on dates unknown but between 1st March and 29th May, 2015 with intent, did illegally trade and was unlawfully found in possession of 2,172 logs of mukula which have since been seized by the Commission.

The suspect is on Police Bond and will appear in court soon.

Meanwhile the Commission has in different parts of the country arrested fifty-five (55) people for unlawful cultivation and trafficking in various quantities of cannabis.

Those arrested include Jackson Muchochoma, 50, a Charcoal Burner of Chikwayo village in Chongwe District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 15 tonnes and Skotch Chima, 24, a Malawian national of Zifa village in Kasungu District in Malawi for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 115kg.

Also arrested and jointly charged is Irene Chisenga, 35, a Business woman of Kanyama Compound with her husband Casius Samunji, 42, a Peasant Farmer of the same abode for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 107.2kg.

And in Central Province the Commission has arrested Helen Chiluba, 30, a Peasant farmer of Thompson Chipembele village in Chitambo District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 364kg, Marian Mulenga, 30, of Mulenga farm in Chitambo District for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 145kg and Cephas Mwape, 28, a peasant farmer of the same District for trafficking in 78.3kg of loose cannabis.