— Chinese national , five Zambians nabbed for illegal possession of the Mukula tree.

Chinese national , five Zambians nabbed for illegal possession of the Mukula tree.

LUSAKA, Oct 23,2014,  ZANIS—- The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit has arrested a Chinese national and five other Zambians for illegal possession and dealing in the environmentally threatened Mukula tree.

Xiangsheng Wu, 49, a businessman residing at Plot 175 Kasangula Road in Roma Township in Lusaka has been arrested for being in possession and dealing in 4, 609 logs of the tree species.

ZANIS reports that DEC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Theresa Katongo confirmed in statement released in Lusaka today.

Ms. Katongo said others jointly charged and arrested are Getrude Kabwe, 37, a Police Officer of Sikanze Camp and Martin Botha 35, a driver of House No. 2569 Mandevu Compound in Lusaka for being in possession of 130 logs of Mukula tree.

In a related development, Ms. Katongo named Christopher Zulu, 28, a businessman of Shikabeta village in Rufunsa District, Andrew Kamanga, 32, a driver of House No. 20/2 John Howard Compound in Lusaka and Lazarous Milanzi, 29, a driver residing at Chalimbana University in Chongwe for being in possession of 230 logs of the Mukula tree.

She said the six suspects have since been charged for unlawful possession and trading of biological resources contrary to the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011.

The DEC Spokesperson said the suspects are on Police bond and would appear in court soon.