DEC arrests ten and seizes 10.8 kg of cannabis at Chongwe festival
Zambia's Drug Enforcement Commission said an intelligence-led operation at the Summer Reggae and Afro Music Festival in Chongwe District led to ten arrests and the seizure of 10.8 kg of cannabis. Three of those arrested were named, and reports said the group awaited court appearances.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) said an intelligence-led operation at the Summer Reggae and Afro Music Festival in Chongwe District led to ten arrests and the seizure of 10.8 kilograms of cannabis.[1][2]DEC public relations officer Allan Tamba named Francis Habeenzu, 27, Matildah Zulu, 22, and Hellen Banda, 26, among those arrested.[1][2]
Mwebantu reported that the ten were in lawful custody awaiting court appearances, while News Diggers described the operation as formally charging and arresting them.[1][2]Tamba said the DEC was engaging the festival’s organisers to prevent the event from being used for illegal activity.[1][2]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
Arrested
10
Cannabis
10.8 kg
Agency type
Anti-narcotics agency, Court
Cannabis
Herbal cannabis (10.8 kg)
Setting
Street or public place
Case stage
Under investigation
Sources
Mwebantumwebantu.comTwo students arrested with cannabis-laced cupcakes, 10 nabbed at reggae festival
The Drug Enforcement Commission announced on 22 October 2026 joint operations netting cannabis across three provinces: 111.4 kg from a truck at Kazungula whose driver offered a K10,000 bribe, 30.3 g from musician Chanda's Lusaka flat, 10 sachets from a wanted dealer in Lusaka, and 1.2 kg plus cocaine from a woman in Mpika. Five suspects were held.
Zambia's Drug Enforcement Commission jointly charged and arrested three drug suppliers over 410 sachets and eight bundles of high-grade cannabis weighing 11.9 kilogrammes in Mpika District, Muchinga Province. The commission's statement also reported the apprehension of a 50-year-old Zimbabwean woman with 3.2 kilogrammes of cannabis among further arrests.
The Drug Enforcement Commission said its Operation Kufeza had seized about 3.3 tonnes of cannabis: 1,751.6 kg of fresh plants and 4.8 kg of seeds in Central Province, 1,478 kg from cultivation in Nkeyema District in Western Province, and 68.42 kg of packed cannabis in Senanga District. Twelve suspects were arrested and were to appear in court.
Zambia's Drug Enforcement Commission announced on 1 February 2024 that a series of countrywide raids had seized more than five tons of cannabis and led to thirteen arrests, including 3.12 tons of cultivated cannabis in Kalumbila District. A separate khat seizure was announced alongside the cannabis results.
