The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested 637 people countrywide for various offences during the “Operation Chalo” that was conducted last weekend.
DEC spokesperson Theresa Katongo disclosed in a statement, Tuesday, that out of the total number arrested, 183 are for drug-related offences, while 335 were found with property suspected to be proceeds of crime and 119 were prohibited immigrants.
“A total of 637 persons have been arrested in Operation Chalo, which was conducted during the weekend in several notorious areas identified countrywide. Of the total, 183 are drug-related offences, 335 are police cases for property suspected to be proceeds of crime and riotous conduct, while 119 are suspected prohibited immigrants. The highest number of suspects is from Copperbelt Province which had 169 suspects, representing 26.5 per cent followed by Central Province, which had 164, representing 25.7 per cent,” Katongo stated.
She narrated that 10.8 tonnes of fresh cannabis plants and 1.8 tonnes of dry loose cannabis were seized.
“A total of 10.8 tonnes of fresh cannabis plants and 1.8 tonnes of dry loose cannabis were seized during the operation, with the highest quantity recorded in Kaisolele Village of Muchinga Province where several cannabis fields were uprooted. Other seizures made during the operation include 4,170 diazepam tablets; 1, 098 bottles of codeine; 360 grammes of cannabis seeds and two jars of cannabis hair gel. The operation further yielded 10,970 litres of smuggled petrol as well as household items, such as stoves, television sets, home theatre systems and mattresses suspected to be proceeds of crime,” stated Katongo, who also thanked the defence and security wings for the collaboration in making the operation a success.
