The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested a 26-year-old man of Lusaka for trafficking in cocaine and amphetamines.

DEC public relations officer Samuel Silomba said John Simango, of Lilayi, has been arrested for trafficking in 87 sachets of cocaine and four tablets of amphetamines.

The suspect, who has been on the commission's watch list for a long time, was apprehended at Manda Hill Shopping Mall in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, DEC has arrested James Simuchimba, 21, of Ntindi village in Nakonde for trafficking in 109 bundles of miraa weighing 45.2kg and Twaibu Jalim Hatibu, 40, a Tanzanian of Arusha District, for trafficking in 30 bundles of miraa weighing 15.7kg.

And in a separate incident, the commission in Nakonde has arrested a 17-year-old boy of Katozi village for trafficking in 64 bundles of miraa weighing 26kg concealed in two sacks of rice.

"The commission is saddened that drug barons have continued to use young people and women as drug couriers.

"We wish to urge parents and guardians to provide parental guidance to young people and protect them from falling prey to the machinations of drug barons," he said.

All suspects are in custody and will appear in court soon.