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Woman Jailed Six Years for Trafficking 118kg of Cannabis in Mwanza
Published on April 8, 2026 at 3:45 PM by Edgar Naitha
The First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Mwanza has convicted a 40-year-old woman, Bertha Kampeza, sentencing her to six years’ imprisonment with hard labour for importing and possessing 118 kilograms of cannabis without a permit.
State Prosecutor Inspector Jane Juma told the court that on March 31, 2026, drug enforcement officers at Mwanza Border received a tip-off about a truck from South Africa suspected of transporting cannabis.
The officers, working in collaboration with Malawi Revenue Authority officials, searched the truck and discovered seven sealed bags containing cannabis sativa. Kampeza later admitted ownership of the bags, leading to her arrest.
The recovered substance was taken to Bvumbwe Research Station for analysis, where it was confirmed to be Indian hemp weighing 118 kilograms.
Kampeza pleaded guilty when she appeared before the court.
In his ruling, First Grade Magistrate Gladstone Chilundu upheld the state’s submissions and handed down a six-year sentence.
Kampeza hails from Namiwa Village, under Traditional Authority Kapichi in Thyolo District.
