The Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) announced the arrest of Ahmed Muharram, a notorious drug trafficking kingpin from Tanzania, during an extensive operation in Lusaka. On Tuesday, authorities conducted raids yielding significant quantities of illegal substances, including marijuana and cough syrup containing codeine.
As a recognized transnational drug trafficker, the 40-year-old Muharram had been under surveillance by the DEC for a considerable time. The successful capture was attributed to intelligence-led operations coordinated by the Commission.
During the raids, authorities seized a staggering 1,380.8kg of cannabis, culminating from discoveries in a lorry and at Muharram's residence in Lilayi. The DEC emphasized its commitment to ensuring that Zambia remains uninvolved as a corridor or destination for drug trafficking.
The legal repercussions for drug-related offenses in Zambia are severe, with marijuana classified as a dangerous drug under Zambian law. Meanwhile, the nation grapples with significant challenges surrounding drug abuse, particularly concerning cannabis and heroin.
In addition to Muharram, other suspects were arrested during the operations, highlighting the diverse network of drug trafficking spanning multiple nationals, including accomplices from Zambia and Burundi.
