POLICE IMPOUND THREE STOLEN VEHICLES, ARREST SUSPECTS IN USALAMA-12 OPERATION
By Mulenga Chipampe Makasa
The Zambia Police Service has impounded three motor vehicles confirmed to have been reported stolen from outside Zambia and apprehended 75 undocumented immigrants during a five day regional crime fighting operation conducted in five provinces.
Police Inspector General Graphel Musamba says Operation USALAMA-12, which ran from October 5 to 9, 2026, also led to the arrest of several suspects for wildlife-related crimes and the seizure of smuggled goods.
Mr Musamba says the three vehicles, comprising a Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner and Ford Ranger, were impounded in the Copperbelt Province after checks against the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) stolen motor vehicle database confirmed that they had been reported stolen outside Zambia.
He says the operation also resulted in the seizure of other vehicles in Lusaka Province for customs-related offences, including smuggling and expired temporary import permits
In a statement on the operation’s achievements, Mr Musamba says law enforcement agencies also arrested suspects found in possession of protected wildlife products, including a pangolin valued at K340,000, leopard skin worth K120,000 and elephant ivory valued at more than K218,000 in separate incidents.
Mr Musamba said all the suspects arrested in connection with wildlife offences remain in police custody awaiting court proceedings.
The operation further resulted in the seizure of assorted smuggled goods, including 14,147 cartons of cigarettes valued at K14.147 million, 29 cases of hot chocolate valued at K15.678 million, 54 bags of pasta worth K21,600 and 54 boxes of products described as “jungles”, valued at K10,800.
The Inspector General says 75 undocumented immigrants were also apprehended in Lusaka Province and remain in custody pending verification of their immigration status and completion of legal procedures.
Koswe Media.