THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested more than 51 people countrywide for illegal possession of psychotropic substance during the 45th Independence celebrations period.

DEC spokesperson John Nyawali confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday. About 800 kilogrammes of cannabis was seized in the process.

Mr Nyawali said DEC in Siavonga arrested a Zimbabwean woman for drug trafficking.

He said Kerina Chivima was arrested when she was found with four pieces of compressed cannabis weighing 4.4 kilogrammes concealed in her traveling bag.

Mr Nyawali said the Zimbabwean was arrested together with Felix Musakanya, a bricklayer of Kaleya Township in Siavonga, who was allegedly found with 268 balls of loose cannabis, detected after a search at his house.

The DEC spokespersperson said the commission arrested two small-scale farmers in Chief Hanjalika in Mazabuka for allegedly trafficking in 768 kilogrammes of cannabis.

Meanwhile, a combined team of Ndola City Council (NCC) and State police arrested 110 under-age alcohol drinkers in 32 premises around the city at the weekend.

NCC public relations manager Roy Kuseka said the teenage patrons were currently being held in police custody after being found guilty of committing the crime.

Mr Kuseka said in a statement in Ndola yesterday the on-going exercise covered Town Centre, Twapia, Chifubu, Pamodzi, and Masaka and Kawama township.

"Police were forced to fire blanks in the air, in some areas to prevent unruly residents who attempted to interfere in the operation so that officers could not enforce the arrests," he said.

The council has warned bar owners that they risk having their trading licenses revoked if they continued breaching the prescribed laws on under-age admittance and operating hours for their business.

Mr Kuseka said that during the operation, night club owners were cautioned about causing noise pollution.