19 Congolese nationals arrested for drug trafficking in Nchelenge district

DEC nabs 19 Congolese nationals, 15 fishmongers in Nchelenge district for drug trafficking
THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Nchelenge District of Luapula Province has arrested 35 fishermen among them 19 Congolese nationals for trafficking in cannabis.

DEC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Theresa Katongo confirmed the development in a telephone interview with ZANIS in Nchelenge District , today.

Ms. Katongo said the nineteen Congolese nationals were arrested on Saturday between 15:20 hours and 18:45 hours alongside four Zambians on Mweru Lake for trafficking in 26.084 kilo grams of cannabis.

She said the foreign nationals together with their four Zambian counterparts were nabbed in the fishing boats popularly known as ‘Leleke’ marooned on the Mweru Lake for mass fishing.

Ms. Katongo further said another contingent of 12 fishermen was earlier arrested by DEC authorities in Nchelenge at Isokwe Island from midnight on Friday to 05: 00 hours on Saturday.

The DEC PRO said during the earlier operation the officers confiscated 48.581 kilo grams of cannabis from the culprits.

Ms. Katongo said all the culprits are remanded at the Nchelenge Police Station and will soon appear in court for trafficking in psychotropic substances contrary to Section 6 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances CAP 96 of the Laws of Zambia.
ZANIS