Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba said the suspects, identified as Chota Siachola, male aged 35, and Revia Siachibi, female aged 36, have been jointly charged with the offence of unlawful cultivation of 1.5 tonnes of fresh cannabis plants.

In a separate incident, Tamba said DEC officers discovered an abandoned field of fresh cannabis plants weighing 3.5 tonnes, which have since been uprooted.

He said a manhunt has been launched for the suspects connected to this field.

In Ndola, the Commission has successfully apprehended Martin Mulenga, male aged 35, a resident of House No. 502, Chipulukusu Compound in Ndola.

Tamba said Mulenga, who has been on the DEC Watch List has been identified as a notorious and primary supplier of high-grade cannabis known as “South African Cheese,” and was arrested in connection with drug distribution activities around Ndola Town Centre and surrounding areas.

In another operation carried out in Lusaka, the Commission has apprehended Lyna Shaba, a female aged 43, a resident of Emerald Hill Complex in the Meanwood area.

Tamba said this is in connection with the offence of trafficking in 151 Sachets of high-grade cannabis.