DEC nabs businessman for trafficking in ephedrine

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 08:44:36 +0000

By AARON CHIYANZO

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Lusaka has arrested a 26-year-old businessman, Evans Galani Maya for trafficking in 6.78kg of ephedrine, public relations officer Theresa Katongo has confirmed.

In a statement, Ms Katongo said that Maya, a businessman of Woodlands area in Lusaka was found with 6.78kg of ephedrine.

Ephedrine is often abused by sports players and weightlifters.  College students and truck drivers are also known to abuse it because of its performance enhancing effects.

The drug is found in nasal spray, tablet, and liquid form. It can be swallowed, snorted, or injected.  Most people who use ephedrine do not realise that it is dangerous and addictive; therefore, they begin to abuse the drug, unaware of the harmful effects.

And Ms Katongo has disclosed that the DEC in Eastern Province has arrested 13 people for trafficking in loose cannabis and cannabis seeds.

She said that those arrested and jointly charged included Christina Lungu, 31, a small-scale farmer of Mabilo village in Petauke and Susan Zulu, 34, also of Mabilo village for trafficking in 38.7kg of cannabis.

“Also arrested and jointly charged is Isaac Banda, 21, of Chivungwe area in Chipata and Hudson Nyirenda, 19, also of the same area for trafficking in 19.3kg of cannabis,” said Ms Katongo.

Ms Katongo said others arrested included Andrew Sakala, 48, a small-scale farmer of Minga area in Petauke for trafficking in 20.2kg of loose cannabis and 2.9kg of cannabis seeds, Thomas Phiri, 43, a small-scale farmer of Minga Ziyaye area in Petauke for trafficking in 18kg of loose cannabis and Patrick Zulu of Nyache village for trafficking 10.7kg of loose cannabis and 5kg of cannabis seeds.

She said all suspects would appear in court soon.