Malawian international business lady, Linda Chinula who was arrested in possession of cocaine, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour.

Chinula was caught on November 25 and arrested by Police at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe for allegedly bringing cocaine into the country weighing 2kgs.

Chinula was jailed after she was found guilty by the Lilongwe Senior Residence Magistrate court on Tuesday.

She was charged with illegal importation of dangerous drugs is an offence under Section 11(a) as read with Regulation 19 of Dangerous Drug Act.

Assistant Commissioner of police, Napier Chafikana, prosecuting, asked the court for an immediate custodial sentence despite that she  is “the first offender and admitted the crime.”

Chinula asked for leniency during mitigation claiming she has a three year child, three orphans and her mother who depends on her.

Senior resident magistrate Shyreen Yona told Chinula who was covered in tears that she was a courier of drugs  and that is a serious offence.

She then sentenced Chinula  to three years Imprisonment with hard labour for importation of drugs and two years for being found in possession of dangerous drugs but said the sentence will run concurrently with no optional of a fine.

Yona said the jail term “should serve as a warning to others.”

Chinula—a Lilongwe based businessperson—comes from Lambalamba Village, Traditional Authority Chindi, Mzimba.