Zambia Steps Up Fight Against Transnational Organised Crime

Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to combating transnational organised crime through stronger legislation, coordinated law enforcement and increased international cooperation.

Drug Enforcement Commission Director General Nason Banda made the remarks during the 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), taking place in Vienna, Austria, from 19th to 23rd October 2026.

Mr Banda highlighted vulnerabilities exploited by organised criminal networks, including porous borders, gaps in beneficial ownership regulations, fragmented law enforcement operations and limited digital forensics capacity. He said Zambia was addressing these challenges through legislative reforms, an inter-agency framework, the Financial Crimes Court and capacity building for justice-sector officers.

Emphasising the need to move beyond arrest-focused enforcement, Mr Banda said authorities must also target the financial networks and proceeds that sustain criminal activities.

He reported that, over the preceding 12 months, Zambia had disrupted two Asian-based cybercrime syndicates, resulting in the arrest of 90 foreign nationals and 10 Zambian nationals. Authorities had also seized and forfeited high-value assets, including helicopters, hotels, real estate properties, motor vehicles, cash and bank accounts.

Mr Banda acknowledged the need for further investment in technology, blockchain analytics and specialised investigative skills to strengthen investigations into complex criminal networks.

“Zambia is strengthening its response to organised crime by targeting not only the criminals, but also the financial networks, illicit proceeds and assets that sustain their operations,” Mr Banda said.

He called for stronger international cooperation through joint investigations, intelligence sharing, mutual legal assistance and coordinated border controls to improve efforts to combat organised crime across national boundaries.

Zambia’s participation in the conference highlights its commitment to strengthening law enforcement cooperation and disrupting the financial systems that enable transnational criminal networks to operate.