EIGHT motor vehicles have been impounded after it was established that they were reported stolen from outside the country, Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba has said.
Along with impounding the vehicles, a truck carrying 25 tonnes of kyanite worth more than USD$ 5,000 has also been impounded for being transported illegally.
Mr Musamba said police have also secured some arrested and also apprehended around 46 illegal migrants.
This was done during an operation classified as USALAMA IX.
USALAMA IX is a joint operation by various Law enforcement agencies in the country which commenced on August 14th, this year.
The operation series started in 2013 with the aim to help tackle security threats such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, suspected gangs and security breaches.
The operation which was carried out starting August 14th, this year was conducted on the Copperbelt, Lusaka, Southern and Eastern provinces.
Mr Musamba said the joint operation went on for give days and resulted in seizures as well as arrests.
“A total number of eight motor vehicles were impounded on the during this operation, as follows, Copperbelt Province: Toyota Hilux Double Cab registration number AEB 3319, silver/grey in colour; Toyota Hilux Double Cab registration number AJE 4185, blue in colour;
Toyota Hilux Double Cab registration number BCE 9937, white in colour; Toyota Fortuner registration number BCE 4258, grey in colour; Ford Ranger registration number BCB 1564, orange in colour; Ford Ranger registration number AEB 2258, white in colour and Ford Ranger registration number BAT 2836 ZM, white in colour,” he said.
He said in Southern province, one vehicle a Ford Ranger registration number BCA 7302, orange in colour was also impounded.
Mr Musamba said all the eight motor vehicles’ particulars were checked against the International Police (INTERPOL) database and found to have been reported stolen from outside Zambia.
“In another development a Cino Truck registration number AIC 7101ZM and Trailer Registration number BAR 7736ZM was intercepted at Chongwe Toll Gate and impounded for transporting 25 tons of Kyanite worth US$5,250 and 5 tons of Amethyst worth US$900 without export permit,” he said.
Mr Musamba noted that the truck, which is currently in Zambia Revenue Authority custody, belongs to Eden Import and Export Limited of Kafue, Lusaka.
“Also 46 un-documented migrants were apprehended in Lusaka, Eastern and Coppeberlt Provinces, most of which were duly cleared by the Department of Immigration while six Burundians and one Congolese national remain in custody pending due process of the law.
On the other hand, assorted pharmaceutical products were seized from drug stores that were being operated illegally in Lusaka by Zambians and foreign nationals. In this case, five Zambians and one Congolese national were arrested, also pending due process of the law,” he said.
Mr Musamba noted that arrests for drug-related offences included four Burundians and three Congolese nationals for trafficking in Codeine and Cannabis, respectively.
He further stated that 54 Zambian nationals were arrested in Chaisa Compound and Lusaka Central District for various offences.
(Mwebantu, Saturday, 19th August, 2023)
