By FLAVIOR CHISHALA –
THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has recorded its highest seizure of cocaine in Zambia following the arrest of two Zambians and a Tanzanian who trafficked in 24.1kg of cocaine.
DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo said Sydney Mwansa, 32, an assistant manager at Taqua Bus Services of Tanzania, Likuta Shaibu Abilahi, 42, a Tanzanian of Mbagra in Dar-es-Salaam, and Teddy Matanda, 35, a taxi driver of Lusaka’s Matero Township were  arrested and jointly charged for trafficking in 24 packets of cocaine weighing 24.1kg.
Ms Katongo said the three suspects were arrested in three different locations which included Inter-city Bus Terminus and Matero Township in Lusaka, and in Chirundu.
She said in a statement made available yesterday that the Commission also seized a pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition, cellular phones and two motor vehicles namely, Toyota Corolla and a Golf from the suspects.
“We have seized 24.1 kg of cocaine from two Zambians and one Tanzanian.
“The suspects are currently in police custody and will appear in court soon,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Commission has in different parts of the country arrested about 30 people for unlawful cultivation and trafficking in cannabis weighing more than one tonne.
Ms Katongo said those arrested and jointly charged in Central Province are Dariano Siyame, 43, a peasant farmer of Mkushi North, and Maybin Chibuye, 30, a charcoal burner also of Mkushi North for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis weighing 475.5 kg and trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 12.59 kg.
Others arrested in Luapula Province are Joseph Mwenda, 41, a peasant farmer of Mwanamwende village in Mansa District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis weighing 295.67kg, and Joseph Mwewa, 45, a peasant farmer of Chama village in Mansa District for unlawful cultivation of cannabis weighing 197.85kg.
She said Joseph Ndopu, 32, a peasant farmer of Lwanja area in Sesheke District and Jonas Maimbo, 38, a peasant farmer of Namwala were also arrested for unlawful cultivation of  cannabis weighing 50.5kg and 75kg, respectively.
All suspects will appear in court soon.