The Drug Enforcement Commission DEC in Eastern Province has arrested two people in Mambwe District for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing seven tonnes.
Agnes Phiri, 47, a small-scale farmer of Mateo Village has been arrested for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 3.9 tonnes while Adamson Banda, 23, a small-scale farmer of Kataika Village has been arrested for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 3.1 tonnes.
DEC Public Relations Officer, Theresa Katonga has confirmed the arrests to Breeze News in a statement.
Ms Katongo further says that the commission has also arrested a 46-year-old American in Mfuwe for trafficking in cannabis.
Max Demian Wallace, 46, the Managing Director of Zikomo Safaris in Mfuwe from Phoenix, Arizona, USA has been arrested for trafficking in 23grams of loose cannabis.
She says that the suspect was also found with suspected pills of diazepam and a pistol.
Meanwhile, the Commission has arrested five people in other parts of the country for trafficking in different quantities of cannabis.
Ms. Katongo says that all suspects will appear in court soon.