The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested 15 people countrywide for various drug-related offences, including trafficking in sachets of cocaine, circulating counterfeit notes and unlawful cultivation of cannabis.

DEC Public Relations officer Theresa Katongo, Wednesday, that the suspects would appear in court soon.

“The Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested fifteen (15) people countrywide for various offences contrary to the laws of Zambia. Among those arrested are: Bowas Moomba, 33, of Mboloma village in Chongwe District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 3.5 tonnes and Sebinesi Malambo, 40, of Libambi farm in Chamuka District in Central Province for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 640kg. Others arrested include; Mwape Chilembi, 30, a Businessman of Mboloma village in Chongwe for trafficking in forty-two (42) sachets of cocaine and Jonathan Phiri, 34, a businessman of Bulangililo Township in Kitwe District for trafficking in four (4) rocks and one (1) sachet of cocaine,” stated Katongo.

“Meanwhile, the Commission in Lusaka has arrested Mike Zulu, 39, a driver of Zingalume area for being in possession of K12,000 counterfeit notes in K100 denominations. The Commission wishes to caution members of the public conducting regular cash transactions to familiarise themselves with the features of the various denominations of the Zambian kwacha notes to avoid falling prey to unscrupulous individuals behind a spate of counterfeit notes. All the suspects are in police custody and will appear in court soon.”