The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested the proprietor of I.T.R Pharmaceuticals, Ramaschandra Patel for importing 50 kilograms of Ephedrine.

DEC spokesperon John Nyawali comfimed that Patel was arrested together with Duwa Banda, a Pharmacy Technologist working for I.T.R Pharmaceuticals.

Others arrested in connection with the contraband is a Managing Director of a clearing agency, Flobo Tradeconsult Limited, Weihelm Schulzs and Samson Nyirenda, a Lusaka businessman.

The Ephedrine which was imported from Thailand using a fake importation license was intercepted from the Lusaka International Airport in collaboration with Zambia Revenue Authority.

Ephedrine is a highly controlled precursor chemical which in some cases has been used to illegally manufacture stimulant drugs whose abuse has become extensive in the world

Meanwhile the Commission has arrested a housewife of Chaisa compound in Lusaka for trafficking in 106 bundles of mirra.

Fatima Abdi, a Somali national was arrested together with Gray Simuwelu at a check point in Kabangwe area.

All the suspects are detained in Police custody and, according to Nyawali, will  appear in court soon.