A 43-year-old police officer from Copperbelt Division Head Quarters has appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for allegedly being in possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime and money laundering involving over K200,000.

The officer, Elvis Haatila, has, however, denied the charges.

Haatila of Jacaranda Villa in Ndola is jointly-charged with Double Q Surfaces Mining and Trading Limited, also of Ndola.

Particulars of the offence in the first count alleged that between June 1, 2014, and April 30, 2015, Haatila had K50,000 held at Cavmount Bank account number 800000280025, property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

It is also alleged in the second count that between the same period, Haatila and Double Q Surfaces Mining Limited had US $23,007.14 (about K276,085) in bank account number 800000225606, held at Cavmount Bank, property reasonably suspected to have been stolen.

And in the last count, it is alleged that between the same dates, Haatila and Double Q Surfaces Mining Limited engaged in transaction that involved US $23,00.14, property acquired from an illegal activity.

And when the matter came up for plea before Magistrate Lameck Mwale, Tuesday, Haatila pleaded not guilty.

However, there was no representative from Double Q Surfaces Mining and Trading Limited.
The matter comes up on August 28, this year for trial.