State Recovers Stolen Medicines, Arrests Two Females in Multi-Province Raid
Zambia’s Authorities have recovered stolen government medicines and arrested two women following coordinated raids across Southern, Western, and Lusaka Provinces.
The Task Force on the theft of government medicines uncovered the illicit supplies during inspections of several pharmacies. In a pharmacy in Western Province, medicines traced to the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) database were discovered.
Further investigations led to Lusaka, where on April 17, 2025, the Task Force arrested Ruth Ngoma, 56, for possession of assorted medicines valued at K22,422.
The drugs are believed to have been stolen from Kalingalinga Health Centre. Ngoma faces charges of Theft by Public Servant under Section 277 of the Penal Code.
A day later, Audrey Yambala, 47, was also arrested. She was found with a box of contraceptives — Zinnia F, Batch No. 8173456 — suspected to have been unlawfully obtained. She faces charges under Section 319 of the Penal Code.
Authorities revealed that other recovered medicines, including Depo-Provera and malaria treatment drugs, have been linked to a foreign male suspect currently at large. A manhunt is underway to locate him.
Ngoma and Yambala have been released on police bond as investigations continue.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and Zambia Police Service have urged suppliers to comply with laws and procedures, warning that failure will result in product confiscation and prosecution.
They further appealed to the public to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
