Former President Edgar Lungu’s Security Personnel Arrested for Drug Trafficking
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Eastern Province has apprehended former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s driver and security personnel, Juvensio Mathews Phiri, aged 53, for trafficking in 55.6 kilograms of loose cannabis.
Mr. Phiri was arrested in Lusaka’s Chelstone area by a joint team of officers from Eastern and Lusaka Provinces, who trailed him from Chipata, where he was transporting the contraband destined for Lusaka. He is currently in police custody and faces charges under section 15 of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021.
Simultaneously, in the Southern Province, the DEC has arrested three individuals for trafficking 29 boxes of 100-milliliter bottles of benylin with codeine, totaling 1,392 bottles. The trio, intercepted at the Kazungula One Stop Border Post, consists of Stella Mulala, Edina Muwezwa, and Siphelani Marumahoko.
Additionally, in Mwense District of Luapula Province, the DEC apprehended four individuals for illegal cultivation and trafficking of cannabis, with Mathews Nkandu, Newman Chongo, Kasuba Chilambwe, Francis Mpundu, and Joe Chishala facing various charges related to cannabis cultivation and trafficking.
In Northern Province, Sydney Simfukwe was arrested for the illegal cultivation of over 100 kilograms of fresh cannabis.
All suspects are currently in police custody and will appear in court soon.
These operations underscore the DEC’s unwavering commitment to combating illegal drug activities across Zambia, from large-scale cannabis busts to targeted seizures and stakeholder collaborations. The commission’s actions send a clear message that drug trafficking has no place within the country.
Meanwhile, the DEC has expressed satisfaction with its continued success in legal proceedings, particularly with the recent conviction of former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ms. Charity Katanga.
Arrested for possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime, Ms. Katanga’s conviction highlights the commission’s dedication to conducting thorough investigations essential for winning legal battles on money laundering.
Mwenge Mulenga, Public Relations Officer for the Drug Enforcement Commission, issued the statement, affirming the commission’s commitment to meticulous investigations and effective prosecution to combat drug trafficking and related crimes.
