10 nabbed for trafficking in cocaine and high-grade compressed cannabis

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested ten (10) people in Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces for trafficking in cocaine and high-grade compressed cannabis contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Joe Mwelwa Mpande, aged 27 has been jointly arrested with Christopher Sinkamba, aged 31, Thomas Chiteta, aged 47 and Phethias Sinkala, aged 47 all of Kawama Compound in Chililabombwe for trafficking in 126.08 Kilograms of compressed cannabis concealed in woven sacks.

In a separate incident, the Commission jointly charged and arrested Abraham Chongo, aged 22 with Tamara Sibanda, a female aged 34 and Melford Jahdi, a Nigerian national aged 30, all of Malembeka area in Kitwe for trafficking in 19.05 grams of cocaine concealed in a clear plastic.

In a statement, DEC Public Relations Officer Mathias Kamanga says narrates that after being searched, Abraham Chongo was later found with 12.44 grams of loose cannabis and 2.09 grams of cocaine.

Mr Kamanga adds that Abraham Chongo and Melford Jahdi were further found with 5.28 grams of cocaine.

In Lusaka province, the Commission has arrested Phabian Emmanuel Bomboko, a Tanzanian National aged 40 for trafficking in 11.3 Kilograms of high-grade compressed cannabis concealed in a clear plastic and wrapped in a duvet. 

Mr Kamanga says the suspect was arrested at Intercity Bus Terminus after the Commission trailed the parcel that came into the country through Chirundu border.

He says the Commission has also jointly charged and arrested Paul Banda, a male aged 24 with Davies Chintu, a male aged 21 for trafficking in 1.3 Kilograms of high-grade cannabis wrapped in a clear plastic.

Mr Kamanga says the Commission has noted with concern the drugs coming into the country through various border points and has therefore intensified operations in all border areas in order to curb this vice.

He says the commission further wishes to warn transporters that drug trafficking is an offence of strict liability which means that the person in whose custody drugs are found is deemed to be the owner.