DEC nabs Malawian for trafficking in 291Kg of Miraa

14th March 2019

Local

Drug Enforcement Commission public relations manager Theresa Katongo addressing journalists at her office in Lusaka on February 13, 2019 - Picture by Tenson Mkhala

Local

Drug Enforcement Commission public relations manager Theresa Katongo addressing journalists at her office in Lusaka on February 13, 2019 - Picture by Tenson Mkhala

The Drug Enforcement Commission says it has arrested a Malawian national for trafficking in 291 Kilograms of dry Mirra.

In a statement, Wednesday, DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo said the 33-year-old, Yusuf Twayib Nawe of Lusaka-West, falsely labeled 24 boxes in which the Mira was concealed as Pure Zambian Tea among other false labels.

“The Drug Enforcement Commission in Lusaka Province has arrested a 33 year old Malawian national identified as Yusuf Hafeez Twayib Nawe of Lusaka-West for trafficking in 24 boxes of dry miraa weighing 291 kilograms concealed in boxes falsely labelled pure Zambian Green Tea, Moringa, Ethiopian Tea and other labels of tea. This follows the recent arrest of ten suspects for trafficking in over 1.3 tons of miraa concealed in boxes bearing similar false labels,” Katongo stated.

And Katongo stated that the Commission had arrested two people in North-Western Province for trafficking in over 1.5 tons of cannabis.

“The Drug Enforcement Commission in North-Western Province has arrested two people for trafficking in over 1.5 tons of cannabis, contrary to the laws of Zambia. Patson Mula, 43, a small scale farmer of Kandemba area in Solwezi District has been arrested for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 1.8 tons. Also arrested in Solwezi District is Abel Kasaso, 34, of Kimakolwe area for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 33.4 kilograms” Katongo said.

“And in Eastern Province, the Commission has arrested and jointly charged Chalunguma Muyayi, 34, a driver of Muyayi farm with Marliot Lungu, 24, of John Laing in Lusaka for trafficking in 1.12 tons of cannabis concealed in 18 by 90 Kilogram sacks and one 50kg sack laden on a canter intercepted in Lumezi District. Also arrested is Ronald Besa, 49, a small scale farmer of Masaba Village in Luapula Province for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 640 kilograms.”

The DEC has since warned small scale farmers to desist from engaging themselves in drug cultivation.

“The Commission, therefore wishes to reiterate a warning to small scale farmers to desist from engaging themselves in the cultivation of illicit crops such as cannabis which have devastating effect on the nation’s social wellbeing,” stated Katongo.