SIC seizes 3.5 tonnes of liamba and arrests three in Malanje
Angola's Criminal Investigation Service stopped three men with 3,547.5 kg of liamba in 176 sacks near Mulondo, Cambundi Catembo, on 15 February 2026. The drug was bound for Luanda; the SIC estimated the load could sell for more than 14 million kwanzas.
Angola’s Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) arrested three men and seized3,547.5 kilograms of liamba, as cannabis is known in Angola, in the municipality of Cambundi Catembo, Malanje province, on 15 February 2026.[1][2]The three were aged between 39 and 54, according to O País.[1]
The SIC said the men were travelling separately in two vehicles, a white Mitsubishi Canter and a green Toyota Hilux, carrying 176 raffia sacks of about 50 kilograms each.[1]One of them, Vitorino dos Santos Afonso, was a member of the Civil Protection and Fire Service, O País reported.[1]The other two were named as Nelson Filipe Pedro and Romão Valente Tomás.[1]
Bound for Luanda
The SIC said the load was destined for Luanda, where each sack would have sold for 80,000 kwanzas; the whole consignment could have brought in more than 14 million kwanzas.[1][2]The service seized the two vehicles, which it said had been bought with the proceeds of the trade.[1]
Augusto Barros André, the SIC’s head of institutional communication and press in Malanje, said the suspects would be presented to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.[1][2]No charge or court date was reported.[1][2]
Photos and video
Sacks of liamba seized by the SIC, in a photo published by O País.Photo details
Angola's National Police seized 169 kilograms of cannabis sativa, known as liamba, during crime-prevention operations across Luanda province from 6 to 8 November 2026. Officers also took two firearms, an AKM magazine with ammunition and a machete, and no arrests were reported.
Angola's Criminal Investigation Service detained three people in Bairro Vimbalambi, Catumbela, after finding liamba buried in a residence's yard on 12 February 2026. The SIC described the three, aged 34 to 48, as the alleged owners of the drug and said inquiries into other sales and storage points were continuing.
Angola's Criminal Investigation Service burned 50,000 kg of liamba and more than 210 kg of cocaine seized in 2022 operations during coordinated incinerations in the week of 24 November 2022. The Bengo leg alone accounted for more than 33,000 kg of liamba, with smaller cannabis burns recorded in Namibe, Cunene and Huíla.
Police in Kiwaba-Nzoji, Malanje, seized about 1,300 kg of liamba concealed in cassava-flour sacks in a truck bound for Luanda and detained two people. The SIC took custody of the suspects and was preparing the criminal case for court.
