The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit in Lusaka has arrested five people for various money laundering offenses contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
DEC Public Relations Officer Mathias Kamanga disclosed that the suspects identified as Jimmy Mwemba Mwelwa whilst acting together with Wesley Moonde, Charles Mutoshi and other persons unknown, forged documents and obtained K2,114,000 and USD$ 5,000 from a named company.
Mr. Kamanga explained that the suspects were arrested for various offences including forgery and uttering of false documents, obtaining money by false pretenses and theft contrary to the provisions of The Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
He added the offenders had unauthorized access to, and interfered with computer systems and data contrary to section 49 of the Cyber Security Act No. 42 of 2021, and Money Laundering contrary to section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001 as read with the Amendment Act No. 44 of 2010.
“The suspects have been identified as Jimmy Mwelwa, a male aged 26 of Chilenje South, Wesley Moonde, a male aged 35 years of Kamwala South and Charles Mutoshi, a male aged 33 years of Kamwala South, all of Lusaka, have been arrested for various offences including Forgery and Uttering of false documents, Obtaining money by false pretenses and theft contrary to the provisions of The Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia,” Mr. Kamanga noted.
He further indicated that Jimmy Mwelwa did acquire a motor vehicle from the suspected proceeds of crime which has since been seized by the Commission.
In a related matter, Mr. Kamanga disclosed that the Anti-Money Laundering Unit has arrested Evans Kabanga, a male aged 51 of Bayuni in Makeni and Mukuka Kabanga, a male aged 60 of Garden House in Lusaka West, for conducting and providing financial services without a license contrary to the provisions of the Banking and Financial Services Act No. 7 of 2017.
He added that this was contrary to section 272 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia and money laundering contrary to section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001 as read with the Amendment Act No. 44 of 2010.
Mr. Kamanga went on to state that Evans Kabanga also trading as Meck-Loy Forex Trading under Meck-Loy Project Management a registered company whilst acting together with Mukuka Kabanga a Shareholder and Director at the company conducted and provided financial services without a license by receiving deposits from the general public.
He explained that the duo received about K446, 950 cash from members of the public by falsely pretending that the money would earn a profit of up to 50 percent per month when in fact not.
Mr. Kamanga disclosed that the five suspects have since been released on Police Bond and are yet to appear in the court of Law.
Meanwhile, the DEC has also arrested four people for trafficking in over 167 Kilograms of cannabis in various incidents contrary to Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr. Kamanga revealed that in Western Province, the Commission has arrested Sarah Mwanzhi, a female aged 42 of Lemvu area in Luampa District for trafficking in 134 Kilograms of dry loose cannabis that was concealed in 50 kg polythene sacks.
He added that in Muchinga Province, Abraham Mando, a male peasant farmer aged 43 of Bwanga Village in Lavushimanda District was arrested for trafficking in 17 Kilograms of Loose cannabis that was concealed in a sack.
And Mr. Kamanga further stated that the Commission in Central Province has arrested two people for trafficking in loose cannabis.
“Rosemary Banda a female aged 30 years of Mpundu Village of Chikonkomene Area was arrested for trafficking 8.4 Kilograms of loose cannabis which was concealed in a blue bucket. In a separate incident, Joyce Banda a female aged 26 of Mpunde village in Chikokomene District was arrested for trafficking 8.1 Kilograms of loose cannabis which was concealed in a bucket,” Mr. Kamanga indicated.
He noted that the four suspects are currently in police custody and yet to appear before courts of competent jurisdiction.
This was contained in a statement issued to the media in Lusaka by the Drug Enforcement Commission.
GOOD THIS HAS TO BE COMMENDED
Well done ba DEC. As we get closer to elections we know that desperation is high from those in upnd. They use questionable ways to fund their party.
Also LT it is not uttering a document but rather altering
The DEC has not yet arrested an Asian businessman that reported himself to the police station in Northwest. He reported that un known people store K150 000 and US$ 16 000 in cash from his house. Is this not a money laundering case?
When are you going to catch Lungu. I am asking for a friend….kikiki