The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), in North-Western Province has successfully conducted an operation in Mwinilunga District, leading to the joint charging and arrest of four (4) employees of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), at Mwinilunga Main Depot.
The individuals arrested have been identified as King Luninga, male aged 43, a Marketing Assistant of Rental compound, Happy Mwansa, male aged 42, a Warehouse Supervisor of Rental compound, Bob Musukwa, male aged 39, a Commodity Checker of Rental
compound, and Kapasa Makungu, male aged 37, a Data Entry Supervisor of Low-density area.
The quartet has been charged with the following offences;
1)Theft by Public Servant, pursuant to Section 277 as read with section 272 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
2)Money Laundering, pursuant to Section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No.14 of2001 as read with Act No.44 of 2010.
The particulars of the offenceindicate that between 1stJanuary, 2020 and 28th May 2024, the suspects, while acting together, stole 4,351 x 50kg bags of White Maize valued at K1,740,000.00.
This was discovered when a Special Stock Reconciliation and Verification
Audit was conducted at the Mwinilunga Main Depot.
During the investigation, two (2) motor vehicles were seized; a Toyota Noah (Registration Number BCE 171 ZM) from King Luninga,and a Toyota Chaser (Registration Number ALT 3942) from Bob Musukwa.
The four (4) suspects are currently on Police Bond pending their court appearance.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation in the Copperbelt Province, the DEC has arrested two (2) notorious drug dealers.
The suspects, identified as Thomas Machokoto, male aged 21, a Taxi Driver residing at House No. 2971, Masala- Mangwana Township in Ndola, and Michael Ngupeni, male aged 20, unemployed, residing at House No. 2958, Masala
Mangwana, are known by the street names “Mafia” and “Bob,” respectively.
The suspects were found in possession of 570 sachets of high-grade cannabis, commonly referred to as “South African cheese,” weighing 3.4 Kilogrammes.
The drugs were discovered in Mushili-Bonano Township in Ndola.
The two (2) suspects are members of a notorious cartel, which the Commission is currently dismantling.
This gang has been distributing high-grade cannabis and other illicit drug in the Ndola District and its surrounding areas.
A black Toyota Funcargo (Registration No. BCC 2156), used to conceal some of the drugs, has since been seized.
The suspects are currently remanded in custody, pending court proceedings.
The Drug Enforcement Commission’s recent operations highlight a pivotal victory against money laundering and drug trafficking, two(2) serious crimes that negatively contribute to national development by undermining Zambia’s economic stability and public safety.
By combating financial crimes within public institutions and dismantling drug cartels, the DEC is sending a clear message: illicit activities will not be tolerated.
We call upon all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
Together, we can create a safer and more prosperous Zambia, free from the scourge of corruption, money
laundering and drug-related crimes.
This is contained in a statement issued by DEC Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba.
