The Blantyre Senior Resident Magistrate Court has fined Castel Malawi Limited Managing Director, Herve Milhade, K1 million for cultivating Indian Hemp which is popularly known as Chamba and should Milhade fail to pay the fine, he will serve 12 months imprisonment.

Senior Resident Magistrate, Martin Chipofya has imposed the same punishment on Murie Jan who was arrested alongside Milhade.

Chipofya imposed the fines on the two after the French nationals’ plea of guilty. They were subsequently convicted on 2 June this year.

The two were arrested on 8 April this year at Milhade’s residence at Kabula Heights in Blantyre.

A total of 59 plants of the hemp which weighed 45 kilogrammes were found at Milhade’s home. The plants were forfeited pursuant to Section 17(6) of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Meanwhile, Chipofya has said that if the parties involved in the case are not satisfied with the sentencing, they are free to appeal his determination within 30 days from 6 June 2022.

Milhade is 60-years old whereas Jan is 50.