By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/Lusaka
Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has formally charged and arrested two individuals in Kapiri Mposhi District, Central Province, for being in possession of counterfeit notes amounting to K15,940.
The suspects, identified as Patrick Mwansa, 28, and Bertha Sinaipa, 18, were apprehended as they attempted to deposit the said funds at a named facility within the district.
DEC Deputy Public Relations Officer, Theresa Mawere, said upon interrogation, Mwansa led officers to a rented shop in Kawama Compound, where the counterfeit notes were alleged to have been manufactured.
“When officers searched the mentioned shop, a computer and a printer reportedly used for the production of counterfeit currency were seized for further forensic analysis,” she said.
“Officers also discovered a fake Bank of Zambia Identify Card which the suspects were using to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Mawere disclosed that on Saturday, 11th April 2026, the Commission received information about individuals attempting to deposit K5,000 in counterfeit currency notes at a mobile booth at Kalukungu Market in Choma District, Southern Province.
“However, upon realizing that the money was fake, the owner of the targeted Booth intelligently mobilized members of the public and conducted a citizens’ arrest on one of the suspects, who was later led to the nearest Police Station,” Ms. Mawere explained.
“Upon being searched at the police station, the suspect, who later came to be known as Conticious Baldwin Kapopwe, male aged 30, was found with an additional amount of K3,600 counterfeit notes in one of the pockets of his pair of trousers, thereby bringing the total to K8,600. The said notes were in K200 bills, all bearing the same serial number being AD3736141.”
She further disclosed that the Commission extended its investigations to Makalanguzu Market, where another suspect identified as Kennedy Popota, 59, was found with K1,150 in counterfeit notes on Monday, 13th April 2026.
“Out of this amount, five notes were in K200 bills bearing the same serial number as the one found with Kapopwe, while one K100 bill and K50 notes with serial number AC6551810 and AE2787031, respectively, were seized,” she said.
“A combined total of K9,750 counterfeit currency has been seized in connection with the matter. All the suspects are currently detained in lawful custody, pending court processes.”
She urged the public to be on high alert and to carefully examine currencies before engaging in financial transactions.
“The Commission wishes to warn unscrupulous persons engaging in unlawful financial practices that the long arm of the law will visit them shortly and they will be prosecuted accordingly,” Ms. Mawere warned.
