MIRAA

By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE-
The Drug Enforcement Commission has busted a major cross border drug ring after it intercepted contraband of miraa, an illicit drug, in Kapiri Mposhi.
DEC intercepted 302 bundles of the drug, weighing 113.25 kilogrammes, as it was being transported to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the weekend.
Miraa is a white-flowered evergreen shrub, of Africa and Arabia, whose leaves have narcotic properties and when chewed like tobacco or used to make tea, has the effect of a euphoric stimulant.
A Zambian business executive was arrested after he entered Zambia through Mwami border in Eastern Province, from Malawi with the contraband.
Simon Mwangulu, 40 of plot number 348 Kamwala Township in Lusaka, had carried the drug in five carton boxes in his Toyota Regius vehicle and was headed for the DRC.
DEC public relations officer, Theresa Katongo said it was suspected that the drugs had originated from Malawi and that it was being supplied to the DRC.
Meanwhile 47 people were arrested by the Commission countrywide for trafficking in various quantities of cannabis at the weekend.
Ms Katongo identified those arrested as Mercy Mupinga, 54, of Muwoonga village in Mumbwa District for trafficking in 63.1 kilogrammes of cannabis.
Erick Musonda, 31, a peasant farmer of Chisango village in Nchelenge District was also arrested for trafficking in 5.68 kilogrammes of cannabis.
The commission further arrested John Litando, 26, of Kalukungu area in Kaoma District for trafficking in 2.31kg of cannabis.
In Lusaka, the Commission arrested Kelvin Chalwe, 27, a taxi driver of Chibolya Township for trafficking in 49 sachets of heroin and 2.3 kilgrammes of cannabis.
Ms Katongo said Rodgers Sakala, 25, of Kanyama Township was also arrested for trafficking in 1.298 kilogrammes of cannabis.
In Chipata, DEC arrested and jointly charged Cosmas Ngoma, 19, a convict at Namuseche State Prison and another 18-year-old male convict for trafficking in 227 grammes of cannabis.
Those the commission arrested on the Copperbelt were Thomas Ngambi, 25, a vendor of 389 Nkwazi Township, for trafficking in 2.1 kilogrammes of cannabis.
Others were Phillip Lumina, 20, of Kitwe for trafficking in 1.38 kilogrammes of cannabis and Jossam Banda, 25, a vendor of Nkwazi Township who trafficked in loose cannabis weighing 1.3 kilogramme.
The suspects would appear in court soon.