By Oliver Chisenga
THE Drug Enforcement Commission has seized over 3.71 tonnes of cannabis following a coordinated operation involving its officers in Siavonga and Chirundu districts.
In a statement, the DEC stated that an operation began with searches of targeted locations, where 1.1 kilogramme of dry loose cannabis was seized from a house, and 3.6 tonnes of fresh cannabis plants seized in two fields, jointly owned by a man identified as Godfrey Mutala, and other persons currently on the run. “The DEC has launched a manhunt to apprehend all the individuals involved in the matter in order to bring them to justice,” according to the statement.
The commission has also arrested Ireen Kalenga, 42 from the Mitec area in Solwezi, for trafficking 860 sachets of high-grade cannabis and compressed cannabis weighing a total of 31.3 kilogrammes. In addition, the DEC seized K11,562 cash from Kalenga, funds that are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of the illicit drug trade.
In Northern Province, the DEC conducted a series of operations, leading to the arrest of Raphael Kalumba, 54, Andrew Chishimba, 23, Chiyanga Chifunda, 20, and Samuel Mwamba, 36 trafficking in 19.5 kilogrammes of dry loose cannabis. “Other persons arrested include Onana Kizambi, 59, arrested for trafficking in 47 rolls of dry loose cannabis wrapped in dry banana leaves and David Sikazwe, 24, arrested for trafficking in 8 rolls of dry loose cannabis wrapped in dry banana leaves. Additionally, 22 kilogrammes of abandoned cannabis was seized,” according to the statement.
In Mwenzo village in Nakonde, DEC officers apprehended Timothy Sichalwe, 40 for trafficking in 817 balls of cannabis and dry loose cannabis, with a combined total weight of 6.9 kilogrammes. Another suspect, Emmanuel Simpasa, 22 from Kasichila village, was arrested for trafficking in 2.4 kilogrammes of dry loose cannabis.
In Lusaka, the DEC apprehended Anshel Simunyola, 32 for trafficking in 11 granules of cocaine.
“All suspects are in lawful custody awaiting court appearances. The operations conducted not only disrupt the supply of illicit drugs, but also send a clear message to perpetrators that their activities will not be tolerated. We call on all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities,” reads the statement..
The Mole
