THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested a 35-year-old businessman and leader of a drug cartel operating in Lusaka’s Chibolya compound for trafficking in over 40 grams of cocaine.

DEC has also arrested 10 people for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 43.19 tonnes and trafficking in 76.20 kilograms of loose cannabis in a special operation conducted in Central and Muchinga Provinces from July 12th to July 15th, 2020.

In a statement, Thursday, DEC deputy public relations officer Mwenge Mulenga explained that Moses Chishimba Bwalya of Obama compound in Lusaka was a known drug trafficker and cartel leader operating in Chibolya Compound in the distribution of cocaine and heroin.

“The Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested Moses Chishimba Bwalya a known drug trafficker and cartel leader operating in Chibolya Compound for trafficking in over 40 grams of cocaine, contrary to Cap 96 of the Laws of Zambia. Bwalya, 35, a Businessman of Obama compound has been arrested for trafficking in 43.08 grams of cocaine. The suspect is a known drug trafficker and cartel leader operating in Chibolya Compound in the distribution of cocaine and heroin. The Commission so far has arrested a number of runners that are connected to this cartel but the ring leader has in most instances been eluding arrests,” Mulenga stated.

Mulenga also stated that 10 more people were also arrested for unlawful cultivation of cannabis in separate operations carried out in Muchinga and Central Provinces.

“Meanwhile, the Commission conducted a special operation in Central and Muchinga Provinces and arrested 10 people for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 43.19 tonnes and trafficking in 76.20 kilograms of loose cannabis. The operation was conducted from 12th July 2020 to 15th July, 2020 in Chitambo District of Central Province and Lavushimanda District in Muchinga Province. All the suspects are in police custody and will appear in court soon,” stated Mulenga.