THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested eight peasant farmers in different parts of the country for trafficking in more than 40 tonnes of cannabis.
In a statement released in Lusaka today by DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo said among those arrested is Francis Chabatala, 43, a peasant farmer of Lukumba village in Kafue District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 33 tonnes and the Commission in Lusaka has also destroyed 50 tonnes of abandoned cannabis in the same village.
Others arrested are Clever Mweemba, 35, a peasant farmer of Mungolo village in Monze District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants intercropped with maize weighing 4.8 tonnes and for trafficking in 1.5 tonnes of loose cannabis.
Also arrested in Mungolo village is Kelyson Mweemba a 57 year-old peasant farmer for trafficking in 900kg of loose cannabis.
The Commission in Mumbwa has also arrested and jointly charged Catherine Chinsunkhulu, 47, with her husband Andrew Mukwanya, 38 of Mwambi village in Chibombo rural for trafficking in 634.7kg of cannabis. Also arrested in the same village is Joe Chisunkhulu, 27, for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 521.6kg.
In North Western Province the Commission has arrested Edward Sakuwaha, 34, a peasant farmer of Kabompo area for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 460kg and Noel Nkinda, 32, a peasant farmer of Kakula area in Mwinilunga District for trafficking in 1.3kg of loose cannabis.
So if we come across too many cops around Zambia who are high we know why. 40 tons is a lot of weed to go around law enforcement.
At least these peasant farmers which cash crops to grow that is more profitable than the price controlled maize.
law enforcements are eventually working well and independently,thanks PF
Nonsense! go and chase after armed robbers and corrupt individuals.
Release my people now!
If Peter Sinkamba, the Green Party president had won the January 2015 presidential elections, he would have been proud of the banje farmers.
They should just export it to Netherlands, at least there is allowed. You just catch a bus from Belgium to Netherlands for a smoke and then you are back. Let them just legalise it so that those who want to smoke can smoke. Some people in Zambia are not christians but was declared Christian nation. So need the chamba please
Send it to the USA, they have use of it.
How did that chap become rich, maybe Halelima Hibange…suspect by proximity of nearness to the closeness of 40 tonnes
Ya, only peasant farmers are arrested. Go and get Andrew Banda who is wanted for corruption. S..tu?pid DEC.