DEC arrest 4 for trafficking in cannabis
By Staff Reporter
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested four people for trafficking in 497 kilogrammes of cannabis in various operations conducted countrywide.
In a statement DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo said the suspects included Situmbeko Simwitu, 37 a small-scale farmer of Liyomba village in Nalolo District arrested for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 296 kilograms intercropped with tomatoes in a bid to conceal the contraband.
“Other suspects include George Chiwele, 30, a fisherman of Chandwe village in Nchelenge district who has been arrested and jointly charged with Derrick Mushili, 21, of Mutono village and David Phiri, 36 of Chandamali in Petauke district for trafficking in 201 kilogrammes of loose cannabis,” said Katongo
She said the Commission in the Copperbelt Province arrested three suspects for trafficking in miraa weighing a total of 108.8 kilogrammes.
Katongo said the suspects are identified as Saidi Banda, 33, jointly charged with Fardosa Abdi, a female Somalian national both of Ndeke Township in Ndola for trafficking in 91.4 kilograms of miraa while Saidi Abdullahi Abdi, 26, also of Ndeke Township has been arrested for trafficking in 17.4 kilograms of miraa.
“The suspects are in Police custody and are expected to appear in court soon,” she said
Meanwhile, Katongo said the Commission through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit in Eastern Province in conjunction with the Zambia Police has arrested a businessman identified as David Nyirenda, 21, of House No. 3229, Chimutyulu, in Lundazi District for theft by agent and money laundering involving over K142, 000, contrary to the laws of Zambia.
“Particulars of the offence are that David Nyirenda on dates unknown but between 1st April, 2019 and 31st August, 2019 while engaged as an agent for a named telecommunications company did steal K142, 710 through fraudulent commissions and built three two-bedroomed flats in Chama,” she said
Katongo mentioned that the suspect is on police bond and is expected to appear in court soon.
