Drug dens raided

… drugs, paraphernalia seized

AN early morning raid of the drug infested Chibolya township in Lusaka by law enforcement officers has been praised, with activists proposing a similar exercise in other areas.

Evangelical Youth Alliance (EYA) president Moses Lungu has commended the Ministry of Home Affairs for the timely intervention to rid Chibolya of drugs saying it had become a menace to the community.

Police have confiscated an undisclosed amount of marijuana sealed in drums, buckets and some in sacks following a joint operation last night.

Police spokesperson Esther Katongo said 134 people were apprehended during the operation out of which 42 were drugrelated offences, 87 were immigration-related offences, while four were found in possession of property suspected to have been stolen. Reverend Lungu has called for the extension of the exercise to other areas such as Chaisa were illicit drug activities were taking place.

He said drugs had a “deadly” repercussion on the youth and the socio-economic development of the country. And 3rd Liberation Movement president Enock Tonga said poverty was not an excuse to engage in illegalities. Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo said Chibolya compound is a notorious place and the ministry will not sit idle and watch people breaking the law with impunity, stating that it is sad that the famous seven spirits has been rearrested again. He described the situation as unacceptable, and that the operation would be an ongoing exercise and the police will continue pursuing the criminals to ensure that sanity is brought among the people, and not only in Chibolya compound, but Copperbelt as well.

“Chibolya has been a notorious place and this is the second time my officers have undertaken the operation there and you are able to see the harmful substances being confiscated from there. And among the suspects, we picked up some criminals who are engaged in robbery, as well as prohibited immigrants,’ said Mr Kampyongo. He said that some substances that had been confiscated were coming from neighbouring countries; therefore there would be tight security at all entry points.

Meanwhile, Ms Katongo said the raid, dubbed “Ziko Reloaded” was carried out by officers from the Zambia police, Immigration Department and the DEC aimed at curbing illegal activities and restoring sanity in the area.