COUNTERFEIT FOOD, COSMETIC AND SUGAR PRODUCTS SEIZED IN LUSAKA
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The Zambia Police Service has uncovered suspected illegal manufacturing and repackaging operations in Lusaka, leading to the seizure of thousands of food, cosmetic and sugar products believed to have been falsely branded and produced under unhygienic conditions.
The operation, conducted by the Intellectual Property Unit under Lusaka Division, followed information received by police that some individuals were allegedly manufacturing chilli sauce, peanut butter and shampoo in unsafe environments.
Police also received information suggesting that industrial sugar was allegedly being repackaged into smaller packages carrying the brands of different sugar companies.
In a statement, Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi said police obtained search warrants before conducting operations at two separate premises in Kabanana and Chipata compounds on September 8, 2026.
At a premises in Kabanana Compound, police seized 20,460 bottles of Good Family Hot Chilli Sauce, containers of shampoo, 56 bottles of peanut butter, stickers bearing the Good Family brand, hot-air guns and assorted ingredients.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the chilli sauce, peanut butter and shampoo were allegedly being manufactured from a backyard under unhygienic conditions before being prepared for distribution and sale.
Police have since identified 34-year-old Ogden Malambo of Kabanana Compound in connection with the suspected illegal activities.
Meanwhile, police uncovered another suspected operation in Chipata Compound, where industrial sugar was allegedly being repackaged and sold under different brands.
The items seized include 82 bags of Mansa Sugar, 129 bags of Kafue Sugar, 67 bags of White Spoon Sugar, 101 cartons of White Spoon Sugar and 241 packets of sugar weighing 10 kilograms each.
Police also recovered sealing machines, weighing scales, batch codes, a manufacturing date stamp, empty branded sugar bags and other materials suspected to have been used in the repackaging process.
A 25-year-old man, Jovan Mugisha, has been charged with offering for sale goods bearing a false trademark or false trade description.
He has also been charged with preparing, packaging or storing foodstuffs under insanitary conditions and operating a factory without a licence.
Malambo has similarly been charged with preparing, packaging or storing foodstuffs under insanitary conditions and operating a factory without a licence.
Mr Chilabi said police will now engage relevant regulatory authorities responsible for food safety, public health, consumer protection and standards to examine the seized products and premises for possible additional offences.
Investigations into the matter are continuing.
