By MILDRED KATONGO –
A MALAWIAN woman who concealed more than 10 kilogrames of ephedrine in 50 baby carriers has been arrested by Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Livingstone.
Ephedrine is a medication and stimulant and the abuse of the drug and addiction has caused numerous deaths and is banned in many countries.
DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo said the 38-year-old woman identified as Allana Chiphazi was arrested on arrival at the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone from India aboard a Kenya Airways flight.
Ms Katongo said in a statement that the suspect who was also a business executive of Maringonde in Malawi concealed K10.62 kg of ephedrine in baby carriers of different colors.
“DEC has arrested a Malawian woman for trafficking ephedrine and concealed in baby carriers. The suspect was apprehended at the airport in Livingstone upon arrival from China,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Commission has in various parts of the country arrested 19 small scale farmers for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing more than two tonnes.
Among those arrested included James Mofya, 28, of Nsonga village in Mansa for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 940Kg, Lloyd Nkhata, 38, of Pikwembe village in Lundazi for unlawful cultivation of 300kg of fresh cannabis plants and Dickson Siulapwa, 65, of Ntenda village in Mpulungu for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 200Kg.
Ms Katongo said others arrested and jointly charged were Selida Nakaponda, 68, of Chilolwa village in Nakonde and Gershom Simukoko, 32, of the same abode for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 82Kg.
She said Titus Chidakwa, 53, of Chikani area in Chikankata for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 400kg and Katombola Mwangala, 40, of Nankwanda area in Kabompo were arrested for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 275kg.
Ms Katongo said all suspects would appear in court soon.