Executive Summary
- High-Profile Arrest: Tanzanian national Ahmed Muharram, labeled a “notorious” trafficker, was arrested in Lusaka.
- Major Seizure: Authorities confiscated a total of 1,380.8 kilograms of cannabis during the raids.
- Regional Network: Arrests included Zambian and Burundian nationals implicated in the trafficking ring.
- Concealment Methods: Drugs were found hidden in tires, gas compressors, and mixed with industrial materials.
Authorities in Zambia have arrested a Tanzanian national described as a “notorious” drug trafficker following a series of intelligence-led raids that resulted in the seizure of more than 1.3 tons of cannabis, according to the Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).
Ahmed Muharram, 40, was detained in the capital city of Lusaka on Tuesday. The DEC stated that the suspect had been on the agency’s watch list for an extended period due to his alleged role as a transnational drug trafficker. The operation began with the interception of a lorry in Lusaka’s Lilayi area, where officers discovered 221.2 kilograms of cannabis concealed within the vehicle.
Following the initial interception, investigators extended the search to Muharram’s residence in Lilayi. According to the DEC report, officers uncovered an additional 1,159.6 kilograms of “high-grade” cannabis at the property, bringing the total weight of the seizure to 1,380.8 kilograms. A Zambian national, believed to be an accomplice in the organized trafficking scheme, was also taken into custody.
The DEC confirmed that simultaneous operations led to further arrests on Tuesday. A Zambian national was detained in Lusaka for allegedly trafficking 55 boxes of Benylin cough syrup containing codeine. Additionally, two Burundian nationals were arrested in the southern district of Chirundu. Authorities reported that the pair had concealed cannabis inside spare lorry tires, gas compressors, and tins of paint mixed with sugar and salt to evade detection.
Transnational Enforcement Operations
The scale of this seizure highlights the persistent challenge of cross-border narcotics trafficking in Southern Africa and the logistical sophistication employed by smuggling networks. The coordinated arrests of nationals from Tanzania, Zambia, and Burundi suggest a significant push by local authorities to disrupt regional supply chains through enhanced intelligence capabilities. It is important to note that all individuals arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
