Zambian musician Edward Chanda, popularly known by his stage name Chanda, has been arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) over the alleged trafficking of 30.3 grammes of dry loose cannabis in Lusaka.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the DEC identified the 28-year-old artiste as a resident of Meanwood in Lusaka Province. The Commission said his arrest was among several made during intelligence-led operations targeting suspected drug trafficking networks across Lusaka, Muchinga and Southern provinces.
The arrest comes amid a wider crackdown that has resulted in the seizure of various suspected illicit drugs and the apprehension of several other individuals. In Lusaka, the DEC also arrested a 22-year-old man identified as Eliam Masepa Chisale, alias Ghost, who was allegedly found with 71 sachets of crystal methamphetamine, 11 rocks of cocaine and 10 sachets of high-grade cannabis.
In Southern Province, officers intercepted a Scania truck at the Kazungula One-Stop Border Post and discovered 25 bundles of suspected high-grade cannabis weighing 111.4 kilogrammes concealed among a consignment of sulphur being transported from South Africa to Zambia’s Copperbelt Province.
The truck driver, identified as 46-year-old Cletus Mulenga, was allegedly found attempting to bribe officers with K10,000 to prevent a search, according to the DEC. A subsequent controlled delivery operation led officers to a truck yard in the Ten Miles area of Chibombo District, where they apprehended 42-year-old Tanzanian national Kisibo Osman Alphan, who was allegedly receiving the drugs.
Meanwhile, in Mpika District, Muchinga Province, a joint operation involving the DEC and the Zambia Police Service led to the arrest of 33-year-old Roydah Mugala at Mutwe Wa Ng’ombe Gold Mine. The Commission said she was found with suspected cocaine, 1.2 kilogrammes of high-grade cannabis, 166 tablets of Benzhexol and nine bottles of Benylin with Codeine. Officers also seized K6,657 in cash, which the Commission suspects may be proceeds from illicit drug sales.
The DEC said all the suspects are in lawful custody and will be subjected to court proceedings. The Commission has urged members of the public to refrain from drug-related activities and provide information that could assist in identifying and dismantling drug trafficking networks.
