Luwingu district subordinate court has sentenced a 31-year-old man of Mwamona village to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour for trafficking three grams of psychotropic substance without lawful authority.
William Kangwa, a peasant farmer, was found in possession of three grams of marijuana at his home after a search by the joint operation of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and local police held on 14 December 2024.
Kangwa admitted the charge when the matter was brought up for plea in this morning before Luwingu resident magistrate Sharon Luhanga.
Statement of offence prohibition of trafficking of drug or precursor chemicals, contrary to section 15 (1) and (2) of narcotic drug and psychotropic substances Act number 35 of 2021 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of offence in this matter are that on December, 14th 2024, in Luwingu district did traffic in psychotropic substances namely marijuana herbal product of cannabis sativa without lawful authority.
Facts are that on December 14 last year, DEC and police received information that there was a man from Mwamona village dealing or selling drugs.
Acting on the report they proceeded to his house in Mwamona village and there they informed him about the purpose of their visit.
The officers conducted a body search and found nothing and extended the search of his house where they discovered a bow of marijuana wrapped in a black plastic and he later took the officers to the one who supplies the village with illegal contraband.
Kangwa, under a warning and caution statement, gave a free and voluntary reply admitting the charge.
When the matter came up for facts and sentencing, Kangwa admitted that the drug was his and the facts read by the state were correct.
Resident Magistrate Sharon Luhanga convicted Kangwa based on his admission and the evidence before the court.
“I find you guilty of trafficking in psychotropic substances and I will convict you accordingly,” she said.
In mitigation, Kangwa who was the first offender asked for forgiveness from the court saying, he cultivated two Limas of maize, which if convicted to prison the maize would be destroyed.
In passing judgement, resident magistrate Luhanga noted that drug trafficking was a serious offence adding it is the duty of the court to impose stiffer penalties to deter future offenders.
Kangwa had earlier told the magistrate the drug he was found with was his to smoke as he started smoking in 2021.
Meanwhile resident magistrate granted the application from the prosecution to have the drug destroyed after 14 days elapsed in the presence of drug enforcement commission officers.
In the same court, resident magistrate Luhanga has convicted a 55-year-old woman of Nkunko village of chief Chipalo area for trafficking three (3) grams in psychotropic substances without lawful authority.
Catherine Musonda 55 told resident magistrate Luhanga that she was using the herb as traditional medicine to heal a wound of one his own son’s ears.
She said she was advised by elderly women to use cannabis by soaking in water and dropping its liquid in the bleeding ear.
Kangwa admitted the charge when the matter was brought up for plea this morning before Luwingu resident magistrate Sharon Luhanga.
Statement of offence prohibition of trafficking of drug or precursor chemicals, contrary to section 15 (1) and (2) of narcotic drug and psychotropic substances Act number 35 of 2021 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of offence in this matter are that on December, 15th 2024, in Luwingu district, Catherine did traffic in psychotropic substance namely marijuana a herbal product of cannabis sativa without lawful authority contrary to the laws of Zambia.
In her mitigation, she said she was keeping three children and a brother who is mentally ill and needed her close attention.
Resident Magistrate Sharon Luhanga convicted Musonda based on her admission and the evidence before the court.
“I find you guilty of trafficking in psychotropic substances and I will convict you accordingly,” she said.
She was convicted to 12 months’ imprisonment with effect from the day she was arrested.
