Zambia seizes over 5 tons of cannabis in countrywide raids
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.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) announced on 1 February 2024 that a
meticulously executed series of targeted raids across Zambia had seized more
than five tons of cannabis and various narcotics.[1][2]
In Kalumbila District of North-Western Province, officers arrested Rodwell
Kamboro, 44, and Lemon Kamboro, 78, of the Mulenga area, jointly charged with
unlawful cultivation of 3.12 tons of fresh cannabis.[1][2]In Chavuma
District, two suspects were arrested for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis
and trafficking in loose psychotropic substances totalling over 44 kg combined.[1][2]
In Northern Province, operations in Kasama and Mpulungu districts seized over
one ton of fresh cannabis plants and over six kilograms of loose cannabis,
with eight suspects arrested and charged.[1][2]In Kapiri Mposhi District,
officers separately arrested a Somali national for trafficking over five
kilograms of khat-miraa believed imported from Tanzania, a non-cannabis
seizure announced in the same statement.[1][2]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
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.
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 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.
