DEC nabs 5 for money laundering involving over K5m

15th October 2021

Local

DEC public relations officer Mathias Kamanga addesses journalists during a press briefing at his office in Lusaka on September 29, 2021 - Picture by Tenson Mkhala

Local

DEC public relations officer Mathias Kamanga addesses journalists during a press briefing at his office in Lusaka on September 29, 2021 - Picture by Tenson Mkhala

THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested five people for money laundering activities involving over K5,500,000.

In a statement, Thursday, DEC Public Relations Officer Mathias Kamanga said the commission arrested three people in North-Western province for stealing a Mixed Mineral Ore from Kansanshi Mines, trading in minerals without a permit and receiving various payments amounting to over K2,500,000.

He said the three suspects were also found in possession of various properties which were reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.

“The Drug Enforcement Commission through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit has arrested five people for money laundering activities involving over K 5,500,000. In North-western Province, the Commission has arrested three people identified as Thomas Kabeta, male aged 37, a businessman, Derrick Mutti Wakungoli, male aged 37, a businessman and Catherine Chilekwa, female aged 57 years, a businesswoman all from Solwezi District. Particulars of the offence are that the trio as partners in KMC Minerals Technologies on dates unknown but between 1st January 2021 and 4th October 2021 jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, did steal Mixed Mineral Ore weighing 13 kilograms (13 Kg) from Kansanshi Mines which the trio later hid at a plot situated in Weigh Bridge area in Solwezi District. The trio further traded in minerals without a permit from the Ministry of Mines and received various payments amounting to over K2,500,000 through Thomas Kabeta’s bank account held at a named bank,” the statement read.

“The three suspects were further found in possession of properties which are reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime namely Toyota Hilux, Toyota Prado, Toyota corolla, a plot, 2 by 3 bedroomed semi detached flats, 3 by 3 bedroomed houses, a farm containing 16 fish ponds, 5 by 2 roomed care taker houses and a guard house in Solwezi District which have since been seized by the Commission.”

Kamanga said the trio had been charged for theft, trading in minerals without a permit and possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime

“The trio has since been charged for Theft contrary to section 272 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, Trading in Minerals without a permit/licence contrary to section 44(1) as read with Section 112 (a) of the Mines and Minerals Development Act No. 11 of 2015 of the Laws of Zambia and Possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia,” he said.

Kamanga said the Commission had also charged and arrested two people for stealing K2,857,709 belonging to a named NGO in Lusaka.

He said the two were also alleged to have engaged in money laundering by acquiring two Mercedes Benz motor vehicles, a Toyota Vitz, an Audi, two houses in Olympia, among other properties.

“In Lusaka Province, the Commission has charged and jointly arrested Lawrence Zyambo, a male aged 41 of Olympia in Lusaka, and Evelyn Supaile, a female aged 37 of the same address in Lusaka. It is alleged that Lawrence Zyambo an ICT Manager at a named Non-Governmental Organization, jointly and whilst acting together with Evelyn Supaile a housewife and business lady, and other persons unknown, on dates unknown but between 1st January 2020 and 30th September 2021 did steal K2,857,709.00, property of the named NGO. It is further alleged that the duo engaged in money laundering by acquiring two Mercedes Benz motor vehicles, one Toyota Vitz, one Audi, one Nissan Terran, one unfinished house in Mutumbi Area, one plot in a serviced area and two houses in Olympia, all of which have been seized by the Commission,” he said.

“The duo have been arrested for Theft by servant contrary to section 272 and section 278 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia, and money laundering contrary to section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001 as read with the Amendment Act No. 44 of 2010. The suspects have since been released on Police Bond and will appear in court soon.”

Kamanga said the Commission had arrested a British and a South African national for trafficking in 43.9 grams of High-Grade Cannabis.

“Meanwhile, the Commission in Lusaka has arrested and jointly charged a female, aged 25, identified as Whytock Gemma Jordan a British national residing in Zambia and Smith Nuttal, male aged 25, a South African national residing in Zambia for trafficking in 43.9 grams of High-Grade Cannabis. The two were arrested in Lusaka’s Ngwerere Area after a search was conducted at their premises which led to the discovery of the 7 sachets of the high-grade cannabis. A further search in a motor vehicle led to the discovery of a joint and the said motor vehicle has since been seized,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kamanga said two Zambians had been arrested for trafficking in 47.8 grams of high-grade cannabis.

“The Commission has also charged and jointly arrested two suspects identified as Ian Sichone, a male aged 31, a Telecoms Analyst of Ngwerere in Lusaka and Chabala Mbewe, a male aged 30, an Architect of Kalingalinga for trafficking in 47.8grams of high-grade cannabis. All the suspects are in police custody and necessary arrangements are being made for them to appear before court soon,” stated Kamanga.