By KAIKO NAMUSA-
THREE people have been arrested for possession of more than K1, 000 counterfeit notes, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has said.
This was during a joint operation between the DEC and the Zambia Police in Kasama in Northern Province.
DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo named those arrested as Nicolas Simbeya, 40, a businessman of Lukashya area in Kasama.
He was arrested and jointly charged with Joshua Mutema, 32, a car dealer of Zamtel Complex and Norman Lunde, 37, a bricklayer of Chisanga Village for being in possession of K1, 400 counterfeit notes in K100 bills.
Ms Katongo said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the three appeared in the Kasama Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, last week and pleaded not guilty.
The matter comes up for trial on Monday next week.
Meanwhile, the Commission over the weekend arrested more than 40 people in various parts of the country for trafficking in various quantities of cannabis.
Those arrested included Patrick Mwiinga, 41, of Chikanda Village in Monze District for trafficking in 4.2 kilogrammes of loose cannabis, Loveness Mutale, 28, a business woman of Kabanga Village in Samfya District for trafficking in 2.4kg of cannabis.
Mwelwa Mumba, 32, a peasant farmer of Kawama East Township in Mufulira for trafficking in 2.1kg of loose cannabis and Mines Hazanga, 30, of Chilinda Village in Gwembe District for trafficking in 1.15kg of loose cannabis.
Also arrested in North-Western Province was Edward Kapalu, 26, of Chitwika area in Kabompo District for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 2kg.
On the Copperbelt, the DEC arrested Golden Siabwacha, 39, a businessman of Ndola’s Overspill Township for trafficking in 10.8kg of cannabis. This was the second time the Commission arrested the suspect for a similar offence.
Ms Theresa said the suspects would appear in court soon.