DEC arrests 12 small scale farmers in Mambwe District

Kamufisa Manchishi

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Eastern Province has arrested twelve (12) small scale farmers of Mambwe District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing over two tonnes.

Those arrested in separate incidences but in Simukonda Village of Mambwe District include Moses Phiri, 23, Mambwe Phiri, 42, and John Banda, 42, for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 1.07 tonnes.

Others arrested and jointly charged are Robson Banda, 42, and Falesi Mbewe, 35, for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 395kg, Lameck Banda, 42, and his wife Eletina Jere, 36, for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 392kg, Kelvin Jere, 34, and Eliness Banda, 35, for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 375kg.

Also arrested is Able Banda, 46, for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 150kg and Godwin Phiri, 65, for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 110kg.

Meanwhile, the commission in Western Province has arrested Anold Kayando, 43, a Businessman of Inyambo village in Mulobezi District for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 32.4kg and Perry Likando, 33, a small scale farmer of Kashamu Primary School Area in Kaoma District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 26.9kg and trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 13.7kg.

And in Lusaka Province the Commission has arrested and jointly charged Azwell Tembo, 22, a businessman of Lusaka-West and German Banda, 20, of Zingalume Compound in Lusaka for trafficking in twelve (12) sachets of heroin.

All suspects will appear in court soon.

This is contained in a statement issued to QTV News by DEC Deputy Public Relations Officer Kamufisa Manchishi.