DEC CLOSES IN ON NOTORIOUS DRUG KINGPIN AND TRAFFICKING ROUTES
DEC CLOSES IN ON NOTORIOUS DRUG KINGPIN AND TRAFFICKING ROUTES
The Drug Enforcement Commission has successfully shut down a notorious drug lord who was recognized for supplying illicit substances in Chibolya Compound and other areas notorious for drug activities in Lusaka.
The arrest follows a highly sophisticated operation conducted by the DEC’s Intelligence team from headquarters that led a team of officers from Lusaka Province to conduct a drug raid at a named Hotel in Lusaka’s Long Acres area.
During the operation, officers managed to apprehend three (3) persons after a fierce pursuit involving heavy gun shelling for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 365.2 grams and Cocaine weighing 13.334 grams, contrary to section 15 of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act no. 35 of 2021
of the Laws of Zambia.
The suspects have been identified as Bernard Nkhoma, aged 25, of the Kanyama area, Peter Zulu, aged 24, of the Chaisa area, and Felix Mutati, aged 19, of the John Laing Compound.
According to the investigations, Bernad Nkhoma, commonly known as Ben Blazer, is suspected to be the ring leader of the trio and a key right-hand man for other known Drug Lords who have been on the DECs watch list for some time. This arrest marks a footprint in the right direction to closing in on the drug cartels who have been supplying narcotic and psychotropic substances in most parts of Lusaka and the across the country.
The trio is in lawful police custody and will appear in court soon.
In another drug raid, the Commission’s Canine Unit carried out routine highway road joint operations with officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) by setting up road patrol at Singela Check Point, along the Great East Road in Rufunsa District.
With the aid of well-trained sniffer dogs of the Canine Unit, the joint team managed to apprehend a male suspect identified as Andrew Mumba, aged 24, of Lundazi District, for trafficking in over 74 Kilograms of loose cannabis concealed in 3 bags which were loaded on a white container Scania truck which was bound for Lusaka from Eastern Province.
The investigations reveal that the consignment is believed to have been imported from neighbouring Mozambique and was destined to be sold in Lusaka. The suspect has since been charged and will appear in court soon.
These recent drug busts serve as a powerful reminder of the DEC’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Zambian communities from the detrimental effects of drug trafficking. The Commission remains vigilant and committed to its mission of creating safer communities by dismantling drug cartels, apprehending perpetrators, and raising public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. The Commission encourages all citizens to join the fight by reporting suspicious activity and supporting its efforts to build a drug-free Zambia.
:
Mwenge Mulenga
Public Relations Officer
