Ryan Chitoba, 53, a former senior police officer who was recalled from retirement to head the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) was arrested and charged with theft of about 345 million Zambian kwacha.

Chitoba is the latest high profile figure to face corruption charges in the southern African country's widest anti-graft crackdown, launched by President Levy Mwanawasa in 2002.

"The ACC has arrested ... Ryan Chitoba on one count of theft of public funds totalling over 344.8 million," Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) spokesman Timothy Moono said in a statement.

Moono said Chitoba, who was already under suspension, had been charged together with two other top officials from the anti-drug agency.

Former Zambia President Frederick Chiluba is currently facing charges of theft of $488,000 in Treasury funds during the time he ruled the country between 1991 and 2001.

A number of key figures in Chiluba's government have either been jailed for corruption or are facing serious graft charges.