By NOEL IYOMBWA
FIVE people, including a Tanzanian, have been arrested in connection with illegal trade of alluvial gold in Mwinilunga, North-western province.
Police identified the suspects as Samuel Joseph 42 a Tanzanian national, Gift Banda also 42 of Mayard compound in Katete District, 60-year-old Tracer Chiwaya of low density area in Ikelenge, Bertha Chinyama 28 and Kalungushi Luya 31 both low density area in Mwinilunga.
North-western province Police Commissioner, Elias Chushi, said the five suspects were picked up from low density residential area of Mwinilunga District on Thursday around 20:00 hours.
The suspects are in police custody awaiting court appearance. Mr Chushi said gold related thefts have decreased due to the security measures police have put in place in the province.
He said police officers in the province were on alert and while patrols have been intensified in order to curb the scourge.
Mr Chushi announced the arrests during the provincial security brief to the Deputy Inspector General of Police In-Charge of Administration, Eugene Sibote who is in the province to assess the security situation.
And Mr Sibote has urged police officers to always do the correct thing as they are charged with the responsibility of combating crime in whatever form it presents itself.
“When we allow illegality to prevail, we lose our authority as law enforcement officers. These resources should benefit the whole country and I am happy that we are effecting arrests as a result of the security measures put in place,” he said.
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