๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ง๐๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ, ๐๐ฐ๐จ ๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐
๐ฟ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐ฆ 13๐กโ ๐ฝ๐ข๐๐ฆ, 2024.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) conducted a meticulously coordinated operation at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka, leading to the successful apprehension of two (2) foreign nationals. The suspects, one (1) American and one (1) Russian, jointly and whilst acting together, were found in possession of significant amounts of Malawian Kwacha in stacks of 20s, 50s,100s, 200s, 500s, 1000s, 2000s and 5000s denominations concealed in Eight (8) wooden boxes. The contraband in question was meant to be flown from Zambia to the United States of America (USA), via a named airline.
Following the inspection of the boxes of the consignment by a joint team involving officers from the DEC, Immigration Department, and Bank of Zambia. The following was found;
• Malawian Kwacha amounting to MK 42,184,000.00 concealed in Eight 8 boxes, other notes were concealed in 1 suitcase and 1 small bag.
The search was later extended to a named hotel in Lusaka where the suspects had been staying and the following currencies were found and seized to help with the ongoing investigations; the seized currencies included;
• Maloti M102,600.00 (currency from the Kingdom of Lesotho) and 24,300 coins.
• Emalangeni (SZL) E 243,050.00 (currency from the Kingdom of Eswatini) and 59, 900 coins.
• United States Dollars amounting to USD 33,883.00
• British Pound amounting to £200.00
• Turkish Lira amounting to ₺820.00
• Zimbabwean Zig amounting to 6,000.00
• Convertible Mark (Currency for Bosnia) BAM 30
• Congolese Franc 7
Other items which were seized included;
• A Toyota Hilux registration Number BBC 8613
• Car Rental documents
• Two (2) ipads
• Two (2) Iphones
• Various documents
• One (1) American Passport and Three (3) Russian Passports
The DEC is currently continuing its investigation to determine the specific charges and the fate of the suspects. The cooperation between the DEC, the Immigration Department, and the Bank of Zambia has been instrumental in this successful operation.
This operation sends a clear message to those who attempt to use Zambia as a transit country for illegal activities that the DEC, in collaboration with collaborating partners, will not relent in efforts at protecting our nation's integrity and ensure that justice prevails. Let this be a warning to all, that Zambia is vigilant, and those who seek to undermine our laws will face the consequences.
๐ผ๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ฆ:
Allan Tamba
Public Relations Officer
๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง