By JAMES KUNDA –

THREE Chinese in Lusaka have been arrested and jointly charged for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 1.3 kilogrammes.
Meanwhile, 50 people countrywide have been arrested for unlawful cultivation and trafficking in various quantities of cannabis.
The three are employees of Avic Construction International and they include; William Wang 50, a chief engineer, Yu wang 26, a foreman and Jings Meu 24, a construction controller.
Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) public relations officer Theresa Katongo, who confirmed the arrest of the trio in a statement yesterday, said the suspects will appear in court soon.
On the 50 arrested, Ms Katongo said Clement Kanyanga, 34, of Kapalasa Village in Shibuyunji District was nabbed for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 273.6 kilogrammes.
Ms Katongo said Bertha Banda, 41, a business executive of Petauke District was apprehended for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 21.5 kilogrammes.
“Also arrested and jointly charged is Francis Kangwa, 34, a business executive of House No. 1204 Nakoli area in Kabwe and a 17-year-old boy also of Kabwe for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 69.9 kilogrammes.
In a related incidence, DEC has arrested three Tanzanians and a Zambian woman for trafficking in psychotropic substances.
Ms Katongo said Moffat Fanwell Mwanjala alias Simonga Fanwell Malumani 40, a business executive of Mbeya in Tanzania, was arrested for trafficking in 529 bundles of miraa weighing 111 kilogrammes.
“The suspect was intercepted by the Commission’s Eastern Province unit at Luangwa Bridge after a long trail from Mwami border,” she said.
In another incident, the Commission in Central Province arrested and jointly charged Hamisi Mbwana, 43, a Tanzanian driver of Dar-es-Salam, Wassy Magala, 28, a Tanzanian of Tunduma and Nelly Tembo, 51, a Peasant farmer of Mununga in Mpika for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 97.6 kilogrammes.
Ms Katongo said the suspects would appear in court soon.