The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested seven people in Muchinga Province for trafficking in more than 500 bundles of Miraa.
The seven who were arrested and jointly charged include Estella Bwalya, 43, a business woman and Steven Maloba, 42 both of Ntindi village in Nakonde District, Charity Nakamba, 22 and Catherine Nakamba both of Chiyanga village in Nakonde District for trafficking in 319 bundles of Miraa weighing 81.9kg.
The four were arrested at a bus stop in Nakonde as they were about to board a Lusaka bound bus.
Others are Helen Mwanza 32, of Ntindi village in Nakonde district and Moses Sikanyika of Ilendala area in Nakonde District for trafficking in 202 bundles of Miraa weighing 45.8kg.
This is according to a statement made available to ZANIS by DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo.
And in a separate incidence, the Commission in Muchinga Province has arrested Kennedy Siwila 19, a businessman of Ntindi Village in Nakonde District for being in possession of K1, 000 counterfeit notes in K100 bills.
Meanwhile, the commission in Lusaka has arrested two people for trafficking in cocaine.
The arrested are Collins Sakhile Bhebh 28, of Zimbabwean origin residing in Luangwa District was arrested for trafficking in 10 rocks of cocaine and Anthony Daka 30, of Matero East was also arrested for trafficking in 24 rocks of cocaine.
What is Miraa?
In Tanzania, Miraa is not an illegal substance. Shop owners and most men chew it openly as they are taking coffee.
I think it illegal in Tanzania too but I know of Kenya where its neither banned nor restricted. Nevertheless, that plant only keeps the user awake/going. I don’t think its as harmful as tobacco. My thoughts anyway.
Zambians, I am amazed to hear that you classify miraa (khat) as a drug. Here the govt assists farmers with farm inputs and loans for miraa production. Its a great income earner from neighbouring countries and abroad. Its just a stimulant.