Tanzanian Drug Kingpin Nabbed in Massive Lusaka bust

Zambian authorities have intercepted a “notorious” Tanzanian drug trafficking kingpin during a high-stakes intelligence-led raid in Lusaka, seizing over 1.3 tonnes of high-grade cannabis.

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) of Zambia identified the suspect as 40-year-old Ahmed Muharram, a man they describe as a “known transnational trafficker” who has been on the agency’s watch-list for a long time.

The operation, which took place on Tuesday, saw officers swoop on a lorry in the Lilayi area, where they initially found 221.2kg of marijuana. The trail led them to Muharram’s residence, where a staggering 1,159.6kg of high-grade cannabis was discovered hidden in the house.

“The suspect is a known transnational drug trafficker,” the DEC confirmed in a statement, adding that Muharram was operating an organized scheme alongside a Zambian accomplice who was also detained.

Regional Crackdown The arrest was part of a wider sweep across the country aimed at cleaning up drug corridors. Other notable arrests during the operation include:

• Codeine Bust: A Zambian national was caught with 55 boxes of Benylin with codeine.

• Chirundu Interception: Two Burundian nationals were arrested for attempting to smuggle cannabis hidden inside spare tyres, gas compressors, and even mixed into buckets of paint and tins of sugar.

The DEC emphasized that the sheer volume and creative concealment of the drugs highlight the sophistication of regional trafficking syndicates.

“All suspects have since been detained in lawful custody and will appear in court soon,” the statement added.

The Zambian authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the country is not used as a transit route or a destination for illegal narcotics, which continue to plague the Southern African region.