The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has rubbished reports suggesting that the summoning of Archbishop Alick Banda, is equal to persecution for political reasons.
DEC maintains that the call up is a routine investigative procedure.
Speaking during a press conference, DEC Director General Nason Banda said it is indeed true that the Archbishop has been summoned by the Commission.
He said this is in connection with motor vehicles belonging to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) that were seized during investigations into illegally disposed government assets and later found in his possession.
He highlighted that the issue has nothing to do with politics or the Catholic Church, adding that the call-out was issued to a name appearing in official records and not to a religious office.
Banda further stated that the vehicles are currently in DEC custody and can be physically verified, adding that many cases are often resolved once explanations are given.
Meanwhile, DEC has issued a summary of how it operated in the past year, below is the statement:
In line with our 2025 Annual Operational Themé dubbed “Beyond Borders: Harnessing technology and collaboration for crime prevention and detection,” the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) of the Republic of Zambia, is pleased to report on the significant operational successes recorded during the year under review.
Inspired by the aspirations of the National Policy on Drug and Substance Control and the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), the Commission has continued strengthening its crusade against drug, financial and economic crimes.
This crusade is testament of our resolve to contribute to the promotion of human and social development and the creation of a good governance environment through crime prevention, detection and prosecution.
DRUG SUPPLY REDUCTION INTERVETIONS
During the period under review, our Drug Supply Reduction Interventions involved intelligence gathering and investigations into illicit drug cultivation, production, trafficking, possession, and abuse. In this regard, between 1st January and 30th November 2025, the Commission recorded the following successes:
Investigations:
A total of 4,638 reports were received in connection with suspected drug – related offences. Out of the 4,638 reports received, investigations were commenced in 4,456 cases. This represents 4.7% increase in reports received between 1st January and 30th November 2024 in relation to the period 1st January to 30th November 2025. In 2024, investigations were commenced in 3,893 cases out of 4,421 reported cases. The increase in reports received reflects the Commission’s enhanced collaboration and cooperation with local and international law enforcement agencies as well as the general public.
Drug Seizures:
An all-time annual record high of over 1,800 tonnes of illegal and controlled drugs were seized in operations conducted countrywide. Notable seizures included the following:
Cannabis: 13,156.87 Kilogrammes
Cannabis Plants: 1,870,937.20 Kilogrammes
Cannabis Seeds: 997.86 Kilogrammes
Miraa: 474.8 Kilogrammes
Benylin with Codeine: 2.97 Kilogrammes
Cocaine: 648.6 Grammes
The above seizures show an aggregated 4000% plus annual increase between 2024 and 2025 in terms of all forms of drugs seized. In 2024, the Commission seized 42,000 kilogrammes plus of all forms of all forms of drugs.
It is important to note that from the time the Commission was established in 1989, the seizures of drugs recorded in 2025 have been the highest annual seizures countrywide. Key among the seizures were over 1,500 tonnes worth of cannabis plants discovered in Chifwema area in Kafue District in Lusaka Province.
Arrests:
Our collective efforts with other Law Enforcement Agencies and members of the public resulted in the arrest of 4,750 persons in connection with various drug – related offences. This depicts 0.5% annual decrease in terms of persons arrested between 2024 and 2025. In 2024, a total of 4,728 persons were arrested for various drug-related offences.
Convictions:
Out of the 4,750 persons arrested, a total of 911 persons were convicted, while 21 were acquitted and 29 were discharged under various conditions. The remaining 3,789 persons were still appearing before court at various stages by the end of the period under review.
Cartels dismantled:
A total of 125 cartels involved in local and international drug trafficking activities were identified. Out of these, 102 were dismantled, representing 81.6% cartel dismantling levels.
Strategies to combat drug related crimes:
In a bid to effectively counter emerging threats posed by drug trafficking, the Commission has continued applying the following strategies among others:
Strengthening of Intelligence Sharing:
(i) Strengthened Regional and International Cooperation: Through relevant Diplomatic Channels, the Commission has continued strengthening and expanding its collaboration with international drug control agencies and intelligence networks. Areas of cooperation include capacity building and the provision of technical support to enhance trans-national surveillance for tracking illicit drug shipments and money laundering activities.
(ii) Strengthened intelligence gathering and investigative operations: The Commission has continued investing in the exchange of best practices and information through initiatives such as Joint Permanent Commissions on Defence and Security (JPCDS) and memberships in Regional Bodies. This has resulted in increased drug seizures, identification and destabilization of cartels especially along common borders with Zambia’s neighbouring countries.
(iii) Continuous Professional Development for officers: The Commission prioritises Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in order for officers to acquire cutting-edge knowledge and skills required to counter emerging crimes.
FINANCIAL CRIMES INVESTIGATIONS AND ASSET RECOVERY
Money laundering continues to threaten Zambia’s social – economic development. As a testament of DEC’s commitment to address the scourge, the following successes have been recorded during the period under review:
Investigations:
The Commission is currently managing investigations in 1,432 cumulative cases inclusive of backlog and current cases. During the period under review, the Commission received a total of 446 reports on money laundering related crimes. Investigations were commenced in all the reports, representing 100% commencement of investigations. Consequently, the following successes were recorded:
Asset Recovery:
Financial Investigations and Asset Recovery:
Through its Anti – Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU), the Commission has continued contributing to the Treasury through the recovery of stolen public assets. The recovered assets are ultimately rechanneled towards supporting Government’s development programmes in line with development priorities highlighted in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP). During the period under review amounts involving over K24 Million and USD2 Million were placed under seizure. While some cases linked to these funds are still undergoing investigative processes, the majority are before court at various stages.
Motor Vehicles:
The Commission seized a total of 56 motor vehicles. Out of these, 8 were forfeited to the State while 48 are part of cases which were undergoing investigative and judicial processes by the close of the period under review.
Helicopters:
The Commission recorded a successful forfeiture of two (02) Helicopters which have since been handed-over to the Zambia Airforce to support the institution’s operations.
Real Estate Properties:
A total of 107 properties involving 83 houses and 24 pieces of land were seized. Out of these, 3 houses and 7 pieces of land were forfeited to the State, while the rest were still undergoing investigative and judicial processes by the end of the period under review.
DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION INTERVENTIONS
Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation Services:
Drug dependence especially among young people, continues to threaten public health, national security and development. This is a matter of urgent public concern which serves as a stark reminder of the need to implement coordinated, integrated, scientific and evidence – based interventions in communities, institutions of learning and work places. In this regard, the Commission has been implementing the following programmes:
(i) Juvenile diversion measures:
The Commission recognises that drug dependence is chronic and relapsing in nature. Therefore, there is need to repurpose and reconfigure services aimed at helping people struggling with drug use, their families and care – givers. In this vein, the Commission has continued implementing the Juvenile Diversion Programme in line with the provisions of the Children’s Code Act and Guidelines pertaining to the management of children in the Criminal Justice System. This includes diverting juveniles in conflict with the law from the Criminal Justice System towards rehabilitative and restorative measures.
(ii) Addiction Counselling:
A total of 898 new clients received professional counselling services for drug dependence. By the end of the period under review, 297 clients representing 33% of those counselled were successfully weaned and reintegrated into institutions of learning, their families and work places while the rest, were still undergoing therapy at various stages. The statistics show an annual decrease of 23.1% between 2024 and 2025 in terms of new clients and 6.5% decrease in the client’s recovery rate. Between 1st January and 30th November 2024, a total of 1,167 clients were counselled and 461 were weaned, representing 39.5% client recovery rate.
(iii) Drug use prevention education:
The Commission conducted media campaigns and physical drug use prevention education activities in communities, institutions of learning and workplaces, thereby sensitizing citizens countrywide. In this vein, a total of 174 Radio and Television shows were aired, while 5,059 physical sensitisation activities were conducted during which, 1,000,715 people were sensitised on the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse, economic and financial crimes. This shows 16.9% increase in terms of physical sensitisation activities conducted between 2024 and 2025 and 15.2% decrease concerning people sensitised. In 2024, a total of 4,204 physical activities were conducted and 1,153,298 people were sensitised.
The Commission remains committed to promoting good governance through crime prevention, detection and prosecution. We will continue intensifying our crusade against drug trafficking and money laundering crimes by recovering stolen public assets and ensuring that such assets are directed towards intended national development programmes.
In the 2026 fiscal year, our areas of focus will include strengthening intelligence, innovation and partnerships to effectively and efficiently counter drug trafficking and money laundering crimes.
To all criminal elements, let it be known that your days are numbered. The long arm of the law is closing – in on you. You will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly, without fear or favour.
Finally, on behalf of the Drug Enforcement Commission, I wish to thank all our local and international partners for their unwavering support. I wish you all a drug free and prayerful festive season.
May God richly bless you.
Thank you.
Issued by:
Nason Banda
Director General
Drug Enforcement Commission