By XAVIER MANCHISHI –

A FORMER MMD ward councillor in Lundazi has been fined K25, 000 for being found in possession of 2 X 50kg bags of prescription drugs branded GRZ.
The Lundazi Magistrate Court convicted Charles Tembo, a former Chikomene ward councilor for being in possession of prescription drugs branded GRZ.
Tembo who was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in May 2014 has been fined K25, 000 in default three years six months imprisonment with hard labour.
The suspect has been given 30 days in which to pay the money or serve the jail sentence in default.
Meanwhile, the DEC has in the last four days arrested more than 30 people countrywide for trafficking in cannabis.
DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo said in Eastern Province, the Commission arrested Robert Mwale, 24, an inmate at Petauke State Prison for trafficking in 20 balls of cannabis.
Upon being arrested, the suspect led DEC officers to the supplier of the drugs who was also apprehended for trafficking in 8.4 kilogrammes of cannabis.
The supplier has been named as Florence Zulu, 38, a business executive of Anusa village in Petauke District.
In a related development, the Commission on the Copperbelt has arrested Emmanuel Mutinta, ,30, an inmate at Kansenshi State Prison for trafficking in 2.5 grammes of cannabis and Mike Mukume, 23, also an inmate at the same Prison for trafficking in 4.3 grammes of cannabis.
Others arrested in North-Western Province include Matamba Binwell, 46, a peasant farmer of Kasana area in Mwinilunga for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 30kilogramme and Robert Chilwezhi, 46, a peasant farmer of Kachaya area for trafficking in 4.3kilogramme of loose cannabis.
All suspects will appear in court soon.