BY DELPHINE ZULU –

A SIXTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Chinese is facing trial after being arrested for unlawful possession of 346 logs of the endangered Mukula tree.
Hu Lamei, a businesswoman of Kasupe area in Lusaka, was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for violating environmental management regulations.
She appeared before a Lusaka Magistrate Court on Thursday last week, for the offence allegedly committed between March 1 and 6, this year.
DEC spokesperson Theresa Katongo said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that, Hu pleaded not guilty.
Trial continues next Thursday.
The DEC also arrested two sales agents for money laundering involving over K100, 000.
Francis Mwanza, 32, and Harrison Lungu, 29, both employees of Yasin Investment Limited in Lusaka were charged with theft-by-agent and money laundering.
The duo between April 1 and June 20, this year, collected cooking oil worth K112, 697 from the company.
Ms Katongo said the duo sold the product and later used the money for personal gain to the detriment of the company.
She said the Commission had seized 37, 100 Malawian Kwacha as well as K3,700 Zambian currency from the two suspects,  believed to be proceeds of crime.
The suspects pleaded not guilty after appearing in the Lusaka Magistrate Court last week.
The case resumes with mention and continued trial on July 10 and July 17, respectively.
The Commission also arrested Joseph Banda, 24, of Kuku Township in Lusaka, for trafficking in seven rocks of cocaine and loose cannabis.