Court officials deny cocaine trafficking

TEN suspects, including six court officials, have pleaded not guilty to trafficking in cocaine, which is suspected to be part of the 2.4 kilograms exhibit contraband that was allegedly swapped with a fake substance at the Lusaka Magistrates Court. Before Kafue based Magistrate Mwamfuli yesterday, were Eric Chipango, 49, a businessman, Emmanuel Chimba, 32, also a businessman, Emmanuel Chirwa, 30, a court interpreter, Bearvan Mengo, 33, a court interpreter, and Mathews Mukanda, 29, a court interpreter. Others were Victor Kisasa Nzaila, 31, a court interpreter, Florence Chiluba Mshoka, 36, a court interpreter, Obrian Muyunda, 29, a court interpreter, Diddie Kangwa, 39, a senior clerk of court, and Charles Nkhuwa, 44, a businessman. In the first count, the 10 have been jointly charged for allegedly trafficking in narcotic drugs contrary to Section 6 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of offence are that between November 1, 2017 and September 14, 2018, the accused persons allegedly jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown trafficked in 80.11 grams of cocaine without lawful authority. In the second count, Chimba is charged alone for allegedly trafficking in 1.5 grams of cocaine without lawful authority, between November 1, 2017 and September 14, 2018. In the third count, Chimba is further charged alone for alleged possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to Section 71 (1) (a) of the Forfeiture of proceeds of Crime Act number 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of offence are that between January 1, 2018 and September 14, 2018, Chimba received, possessed or concealed an unregistered black Mercedes Benz and K49, 000 cash suspected to be proceeds of crime.