The Chikwawa First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday fined Sped Emmanuel K400,000 for being found in possession of medical drugs suspected to have been stolen from the government hospital.
Emmanuel, 25, was found guilty of possessing drugs without a license before Magistrate Gladstone Chirundu.
State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Danford Otala told the court that the convict, on 16 August this year at Masenjere Trading Centre, was riding a motorcycle with a bag of assorted drugs on him.
Police officers, who were en route from a murder scene, busted on Emmanuel and found assorted drugs such as indocin, amoxicillin, and lemefantrine artemether ( LA) drugs.
“During his trial, Emmanuel admitted to the charge and pleaded with the court to exercise leniency on him.
But the state prayed that the accused be convicted and sentenced accordingly saying cases as such were on the rise in the district.” Sgt Foster Benjamin narrated
Magistrate Chirundu agreed with the state and sentenced Emmanuel to pay a fine of K400,000 or in default spend 1 year in prison in which he paid.
Chirundu further ordered the drugs be forfeited to the government for disposal.
Emmanuel hails from Penemulungu village under Traditional Authority Mlolo in Nsanje District.
