By JULIUS PHIRI –

A TANZANIAN and a Zambian have been arrested for trafficking in over 650 bundles of miraa.
Demi Simon Mbasela, 45, alias David Peter, a Tanzanian business executive of Kasumbalesa in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been arrested and jointly charged with Amos Chanda, 30, a driver of Kamwala area in Lusaka for trafficking in 658 bundles of miraa weighing 251.2 kilogrammes.
Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) public relations officer Theresa Katongo said the duo was intercepted at Luangwa Police check-point after being trailed from Chipata District.
The commission over the weekend also arrested more than 35 people countrywide for unlawful cultivation and trafficking in various quantities of cannabis.
Those arrested include Mofya Mwendakawa, 25, a peasant farmer of Mwendakawa Village in Masaiti for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 700 kilogrammes, Mabvuto Kulya, 28, a peasant farmer of Besiya Village in Chipata for trafficking in 3.4 kilogrammes of loose cannabis and Josephat Mwanza, 26, of Mukobeko site and service in Kabwe for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 2.1 kilogrammes.
Also arrested and jointly charged was Prince Busuma, 22, a footballer of house number 5, 10th Street Chamboli Township in Kitwe and Danny Nyirenda, 25, residing at House number 6 on the same street for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 1.6kg.
Ms Katongo said all suspects would appear in court soon.