2 Malawi Army soldiers convicted over Hemp in Nkhotakota district

Nkhotakota First Grade Magistrate court on Wednesday fined K40, 000 each or in default two years imprisonment to two Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers who were arrested on December 20 last year after illegally found in possession of Cannabis Sativa.

The court heard through state prosecutor sergeant Ngupasye Muyira that on December 20 last year Grey Chimbulumata 26 from Parachute battalion and Mike Jusab 25 from Mafco in Salima got arrested at Kaombe police check-point after being found in possession of Cannabis without license.

He said, the two came at the police roadblock and told the officers manning the roadblock to assist them find lift to Salima.

While there, the police got suspicious of the soldiers movements which prompted the search in there travelling bags and after the search it transpired that each MDF travelling bag contained the illicit drug and were instantly apprehended.

The two soldiers who all pleaded guilty to the charge, in mitigation all asked for a non-custodial sentence as they are breadwinners to their families and they are responsible for paying school fees to the orphans they are looking after.

Passing the sentence Magistrate Fred Juma Chilowetsa said the offence of found in possession of Cannabis Sativa is serious in nature hence it attracts stiff penalty to the law violators.

He further went on to say, offences related to Cannabis Sativa are very common in Nkhotakota, therefore it is the duty of the courts to make sure that all offenders are punished accordingly to pose a lesson to would be offenders.

Magistrate Chilowetsa therefore, sentenced the two to pay a fine of K40, 000 each or in default serve two years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL). They have since paid the fine.

Grey Chimbulumata 26 hails Mponela village, traditional authority (T/A) Kamwana in Dowa district while Mike Jusab 25 is from Jemusani village, traditional authority (T/A) Kapeni in Blantyre.

Police is therefore appealing to the general public that anyone found in possession of the illicit drug unlawfully and found aiding the traffickers in any way; the law will take its course. It is the duty to everyone to take part in combating this highly common crime in the district as such the general public should join hands with their police to curb the crime.

Found in Possession of Cannabis Sativa’ without license is contrary to section 4(a) of Dangerous Drug Regulation and 19 (1) of the Dangerous Drug Act.