Cecilia Chiluba 
- The suspects have been charged with Theft by Public Servant and Money Laundering.
- Between 1st January, 2020 and 28th May 2024, the suspects, stole 4,351 x 50kg bags of White Maize valued at over K1.7 million.
- The four suspects are currently on Police Bond pending their court appearance.
Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), has apprehended four Food Reserve Agency (FRA) employees in Mwinilunga, Northwestern province for stealing over 4,000 x 50kg bags of White Maize valued at over K1.7 million.
Commission Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba said in a statement that the suspects identified as King Luninga, 43, a Marketing Assistant , Happy Mwansa, 42, a Warehouse Supervisor, Bob Musukwa, 39, a Commodity Checker, and Kapasa Makungu, 37, a Data Entry Supervisor, have been charged with Theft by Public Servant and Money Laundering.
Mr. Tamba explained that between 1st January, 2020 and 28th May 2024, the suspects, while acting together, stole 4,351 x 50kg bags of White Maize valued at over K1.7 million.
“The particulars of the offence indicate that between 1st January, 2020 and 28th May 2024, the suspects, while acting together, stole 4,351 x 50kg bags of White Maize valued at K1,740,000This was discovered when a Special Stock Reconciliation and Verification Audit was conducted at the Mwinilunga Main Depot.”
“During the investigation, two motor vehicles were seized; a Toyota Noah Registration Number BCE 171 ZM from King Luninga, and a Toyota Chaser Registration Number ALT 3942 from Bob Musukwa. The four suspects are currently on Police Bond pending their court appearance,” Mr. Tamba explained.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tamba revealed that the Commission has arrested two notorious drug dealers on the Copperbelt who were found in possession of 570 sachets of high-grade cannabis, commonly referred to as “South African cheese,” weighing 3.4 Kilogrammes.
“The suspects, identified as Thomas Machokoto, male aged 21, a Taxi Driver residing at House No. 2971, Masala-Mangwana Township in Ndola, and Michael Ngupeni, male aged 20, unemployed, residing at House No. 2958, Masala Mangwana, are known by the street names “Mafia” and “Bob,” respectively.”
“The drugs were discovered in Mushili-Bonano Township in Ndola. The two suspects are members of a notorious cartel, which the Commission is currently dismantling. This gang has been distributing high-grade cannabis and other illicit drug in the Ndola District and its surrounding areas,” he stated.
He added that the gang has been distributing high-grade cannabis and other illicit drugs in Ndola District and its surrounding areas.
“A black Toyota Funcargo Registration No. BCC 2156, used to conceal some of the drugs, has since been seized. The suspects are currently remanded in custody, pending court proceeding,” Mr. Tamba said.
He noted that drug trafficking and money laundering are serious crimes that negatively contribute to national development by undermining Zambia’s economic stability and public safety.
“By combating financial crimes within public institutions and dismantling drug cartels, the DEC is sending a clear message: illicit activities will not be tolerated,” he warned.
