VILLAGE HEADMAN FINED MK60, 000 FOR POSSESSING BAGS OF CHAMBA

Nkhunga First Grade Magistrate Court in Nkhotakota has convicted and fined a village headman K60, 000.00 for possessing three bags of Indian hemp.

Magistrate Kingsley Buleya convicted Village Headman Nguwo of Senior Chief Kanyenda in Nkhotakota, whose real name is Philip Phiri, aged 38, on January 19, 2016.

Nkhunga Police Public Relations Officer Sub-inspector Laban Makalani said the police arrested the village headman on January 18, 2016 after obtaining reliable information that he was in possession of Indian hemp.

“The police managed to seize a total of three bags of hemp weighing close to 40 kilograms each after they had conducted a search in his house.

“The village headman pleaded guilty to the offence of being found in possession of Cannabis Sativa without license contrary to regulation 4A of the Dangerous Drug Regulation as read with section 19(1) of the Dangerous Drug Act,” he said.

Makalani said the magistrate sentenced the traditional leader to two years imprisonment with hard labour or in default to pay a fine of K60, 000.00.

He further said the village headman has been released after paying the fine.mana