𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄
𝐃𝐄𝐂 𝐅𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐦𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝
𝐿𝑢𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑎, 𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑎𝑦 13𝑡ℎ 𝐽𝑢𝑙𝑦, 2024.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) conducted a meticulously coordinated operation at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka, leading to the successful apprehension of two (2) foreign nationals. The suspects, one (1) American and one (1) Russian, jointly and whilst acting together, were found in possession of significant amounts of Malawian Kwacha in stacks of 20s, 50s,100s, 200s, 500s, 1000s, 2000s and 5000s denominations concealed in Eight (8) wooden boxes. The contraband in question was meant to be flown from Zambia to the United States of America (USA), via a named airline.
Following the inspection of the boxes of the consignment by a joint team involving officers from the DEC, Immigration Department, and Bank of Zambia. The following was found;
• Malawian Kwacha amounting to MK 42,184,000.00 concealed in Eight 8 boxes, other notes were concealed in 1 suitcase and 1 small bag.
The search was later extended to a named hotel in Lusaka where the suspects had been staying and the following currencies were found and seized to help with the ongoing investigations; the seized currencies included;
• Maloti M102,600.00 (currency from the Kingdom of Lesotho) and 24,300 coins.
• Emalangeni (SZL) E 243,050.00 (currency from the Kingdom of Eswatini) and 59, 900 coins.
• United States Dollars amounting to USD 33,883.00
• British Pound amounting to £200.00
• Turkish Lira amounting to ₺820.00
• Zimbabwean Zig amounting to 6,000.00
• Convertible Mark (Currency for Bosnia) BAM 30
• Congolese Franc 7
Other items which were seized included;
• A Toyota Hilux registration Number BBC 8613
• Car Rental documents
• Two (2) ipads
• Two (2) Iphones
• Various documents
• One (1) American Passport and Three (3) Russian Passports
The DEC is currently continuing its investigation to determine the specific charges and the fate of the suspects. The cooperation between the DEC, the Immigration Department, and the Bank of Zambia has been instrumental in this successful operation.
This operation sends a clear message to those who attempt to use Zambia as a transit country for illegal activities that the DEC, in collaboration with collaborating partners, will not relent in efforts at protecting our nation's integrity and ensure that justice prevails. Let this be a warning to all, that Zambia is vigilant, and those who seek to undermine our laws will face the consequences.
𝐼𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦:
Allan Tamba
Public Relations Officer
𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧