In brief
A Tanzanian drug kingpin, Ahmed Muharram, was arrested in Zambia amid an extensive drug bust led by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC). During the operation, authorities seized over 1,380 kilograms of cannabis and other illegal substances. The DEC confirmed that Muharram had long been on its watchlist and vowed to continue fighting against illegal drug trafficking in Zambia.
A notorious Tanzanian drug-trafficking kingpin has been arrested in Zambia during a raid, the Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has announced.
Ahmed Muharram was among several suspects detained in Zambia's capital, Lusaka, along with large quantities of marijuana and cough syrup containing codeine in several drug busts on Tuesday, the authorities said.
The suspect is a known transnational drug trafficker, the DEC said, adding that the 40-year-old had long been on the anti-drug agency's watch-list.
The arrest of Muharram, who has not yet commented, was made possible thanks to a series of intelligence-led operations, the agency said.
Under Zambian law, marijuana is classed as a dangerous drug and is illegal to possess.
The trafficking, possession and use of illegal drugs such as cannabis are punishable by fines or prison sentences. The southern African country struggles with drug abuse and trafficking, especially of cannabis and heroin.
During Tuesday's operations, the DEC said it had seized 221.2 kg of cannabis hidden in a lorry in Lusaka's Lilayi area. The search was extended to Muharram's residence in Lilayi, where officers discovered an additional 1,159.6 kg of high-grade cannabis, bringing the total seizure to 1,380.8 kg, the agency added.
A Zambian national who was also arrested is believed to be an accomplice in the organized drug-trafficking scheme.
The DEC stated that their operations also led to the arrests of several other suspects for various drug offenses.
All suspects have since been detained in lawful custody and will appear in court soon. The agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring Zambia is neither a corridor nor a destination for drug trafficking.
