Peasant farmer convicted for cultivating marijuana

A 42 year old peasant farmer of Katuta chiefdom in Mwense district of Luapula province has been sentenced to 30 months imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful cultivation of psychotropic substance.

Before principle resident magistrate Yvonne Nalomba was Miyambo Katopwa of Lubebe village who was charged for unlawful cultivation of marijuana contrary to section 9 of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substance chapter 96 of the laws of Zambia.

Facts before the courts were that Katopwa on March 5, 2015 cultivated 528 kilogrammes of marijuana, a herbal product of cannabis without lawful authority.

And in count two, particulars were that Katopwa on March 5, 2015 trafficked in 180 Kilogrammes of marijuana contrary to section 6 chapter 96 of the laws of Zambia.

Katopwa admitted the charge for count one but denied the charge for count two.

In mitigation, Katopwa requested for lenience as he was the first offender and that he was married with children who are still at school.

However, Principle Resident Magistrate Nalomba said though he was the first offender and readily admitted the charge, the quantity of marijuana was too much.

She then sentenced him to 30 months imprisonment with hard labour, effective the date of arrest in order to deter others from committing a similar offence.

And for count two, Magistrate Nalomba re-allocated the case to Magistrate Moses Mulenga for continued trial.