By JOHN SAKALA
A combined team of Zambia Police, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Department of Immigration officers have apprehended 113 illegal immigrants.
A joint operation was conducted in Chibolya Compound, in Lusaka. The objective of the joint operation dubbed Operation Chalo, which began in the late hours of Friday, June 21, 2019 into the morning of Saturday, June 22, 2019 was to disrupt illegal activities in Chibolya, following numerous complaints from members of the public.
Out of the 113 suspects apprehended, 53 were for immigration related offences, 33 for drug related offences, while 27 were for general crimes such as being found in possession of suspected stolen property.
The majority of those nabbed for immigration related offences did not produce documents to prove their legal immigration status in Zambia at the time of the operation.
Screening to ascertain their immigration status in Zambia will be conducted.
A significant amount of different psychotropic and other banned substances were found, including cannabis, suspected cocaine, boxes of Benylin codeine and instruments used to administer drugs.
The exact weight, purity and value of the psychotropic substances will be determined following further forensic testing.
This operation is a fitting example of inter-agency collaboration in disrupting criminal activities and networks. We wish to commend the officers from all the three security wings under the Ministry of Home Affairs for working hard in this joint operation to achieve this result and counter these criminal activities in our city.
The arrests should serve as a warning to would be offenders. They should know that our security departments will not relent in doing everything possible to maintain internal security.
These operations and remain ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out. Further, the outcomes from operations from other parts of the country will be given once compiled.
This joint media statement was issued by Zambia Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo, Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka and DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo.
