A 30-year-old truck driver and his co-driver were detained in Muchinga after attempting to pay K22,000 to police officers at a checkpoint so that they would carry 15 illegal immigrants.
The immigrants who were hiding within the cabin, the trailer, and the spaces between the planks being transported have since been found and turned over to the department of immigration.
The immigrants, who are thought to be Somali and Ethiopian, were detained yesterday at around 8:00 a.m. at Nambuluma Security Check Point in Chinsali District, according to Zambia Police Assistant Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi.
“Police have also arrested a truck driver and his co-driver for the offense of attempting to bribe Police officers with money amounting to K22,000.The driver of the Volvo truck and trailer registration number BAT 1187 and ALR 7663T respectively has been identified as George Ngoma aged 30 and his co-driver as Paul Tembo aged 26 both of Walela area in Chipata District,” he said.
He said the truck which was loaded with planks destined for Lusaka from Nakonde has also been impounded.
“Initial Investigations indicate that upon being stopped at the check point, officers found immigrants hiding in the truck’s cabin and behind the trailer in between the planks which was covered with a tent.All the suspects have since been handed over to the Department of Immigration for further offences and formalities,” he said.
