The Machinga Second Grade Magistrate Court yesterday on July 12, 2017 fined Lovemore Chausi to pay MK130,000 for being found in possession of Cannabis Sativa (also popularly known as Chamba).

State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Rodrick Kamuoma based at Machinga Police Station told the court that, on July 6, 2017, Chausi (42) was arrested at a Police check point.

The Police had mounted a roadblock in Machinga and in the course of their duty, they came across a Matours Bus registration number MN 3698 which was traveling from Mzuzu to Blantyre via Zomba driven by the suspect.

After conducting a search on the bus, the officers identified two laptop bags which were hidden under the drivers seat. However the law enforcers became suspicious and opened the bags, only to discover four packs of Cannabis Sativa (two in each bag, wrapped in plastic), weighing about 12 kilograms.

When the driver was questioned about the parcel, he denied ownership of the bags.

He pleaded “not guilty” which prompted the State to parade two witnesses. Though in mitigation, he asked the Court for a fair punishment because he is a bread winner and fends for a granny.

However Prosecutor Kamuoma asked the Court to impose a stiffer penalty to the convict for being culpable of the offence which is contrary to regulation 4 of Section 19 of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Passing the judgement, Magistrate Maxwell Boazi, concurred with the State arguments. He therefore fined the convict to MK130,000 or in default to serve ten (10) months Imprisonment with Hard Labour. At the end of the Court process, the exhibit (Cannabis Sativa) was burnt to ashes.

Meanwhile, Malawi Police Service is commeding the people who come forth with tips to the police on such cases and would like to furthermore advise the general public to desist from the malpractice