The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has called on the general public to be cautious of an international cartel of drug baron which is allegedly recruiting unsuspecting individuals to traffic drugs on its behalf.
The cartel which is described as ruthless is believed to be orchestrated and coordinated by foreign nationals from a named west African country who have established a base in South Africa.
DEC Public Relations Manager John Nyawali noted in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that some Zambian citizens have been contracted to embark on a mass recruitment of unsuspecting Zambians especially women to traffic drugs from South American and Asian countries.
Mr. Nyawali indicated that the cartel is targeting female Zambians aged between 19 to 50 years of age and promising them of good and high paying jobs in South Africa.
He said the victims are been used as drug couriers through coercion and death threats and quite a good number of Zambians have already become victims of the cartel’s antics.
The DEC recently arrested three women for trafficking in pure grade cocaine concealed in their private parts at Lusaka International Airport as they arrived from Pakistan.
Among the trio was Emmy Nawale, 28, a resident of Lubuto, Ndola who was aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight.
“Ms Nawale, who inserted a block of cocaine in her private parts was operated upon at the University Teaching Hospital to remove the contraband as it was dangerously inserted,” he said.
Mr. Nyawali said Ms Nawale is admitted to hospital and will appear in court soon.
“Others arrested are Sara Chikwasa, 40, a resident of Kabinga in Ndola and Alice Sandi Mulonda, 39, a resident of Matero in Lusaka,” he said.
The DEC spokesperson said the two, who were on a Kenyan Airways flight, also inserted the cocaine in their private parts.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nyawali is saddened to note that recently, a 42 year old Zambian woman of Kamwala in Lusaka died in a Pakistan Hospital out of suspected drug poisoning.
He added that the named woman died after being lured and co-arced into drug trafficking by the cartel.
He said the woman collapsed at one of the airports in Pakistan as she was returning to Zambia after being coerced to carry suspected narcotics which are suspected to have caused her death.
Mr. Nyawali explained that the woman was recruited after being promised a job at one of the local restaurants in South Africa and her identity has deliberately been concealed for the security of her family members and on going investigations.
It was from the named restaurant where the woman was later sent to Pakistan to traffic drugs and was subjected to torture forcing her to swallow the narcotics as a mode of concealment after refusing to voluntarily get involved in drug trafficking.
Her remains are still in Pakistan awaiting extradition to Zambia.
The Commission has further appealed to the public to be cautious with promises of jobs abroad and has advised everyone who wishes to take up such offers get adequate information and clearance from relevant authorities.
ZANIS
Too bad, intweno or entertainment centres are being used by our ladies of late to traffic in narcotics. Zambian ladies stop this practise, you have been decent ladies, what has gone wrong? search for instant un-explained wealth? It will land you into trouble see Kafupi he has never enjoyed ever since he left State House cause of deals.
THE PROBLEM WITH OUR WOMEN IS THAT THEY WANT FAST AND EASY MONEY. THESE ARE WOMEN WITH GOOD BACKGROUNDS BUT WHEN THEY ARE INTRODUCED TO THE LUCRATIVE BUSINESS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING THEY FALL FOR IT. ONLY WHEN THEY ARE CAUGHT DO THEY REALISE HOW BAD IT IS AND RATHER TOO LATE. THEY WANT TO DRIVE LATEST RAV 4, HONDA CRV, PRADO, IPSUM THE RESULT IS TO DO TIME IN JAIL
Drug trafficking does not pay, you end up mu jele and the sentences are usually long. Friends learn to say no.
please ladies lets not be found in this embarassed situation, u will end up in jail for the rest of your lives. Lets continue doing the usual business dat we do.. we survive thru selling tomatoes, clothes :(
Nigerians in SA are to blame! Come on SADC, can you send these nasty people back to Nigeria please? The SAs are complaining about the drug dealing Nigerians, and Zambia is the ripe recruitment spot for them. These drug dealers are also spoiling the good name of honest hard working Nigerians!