The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court yesterday sentenced Mingel to three years’ simple imprisonment for trafficking in 500 grammes of cocaine, with half of the sentence suspended.
However, the prosecution says the penalty handed down does not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offence.
According to the NPA, drug trafficking remains a major concern for law enforcement agencies as illegal narcotics continue to enter communities, contributing to addiction and related criminal activities.
The authority stated that sentences for drug trafficking offences must serve as a strong deterrent to help disrupt the illicit drug trade and protect the public.
For this reason, the State will formally lodge an appeal against the sentence.
The matter will now proceed to the High Court of Zambia, where the appellate court will review the State’s arguments regarding the sentence imposed.
The High Court will determine whether the sentence passed by the trial court was appropriate in the circumstances of the case or whether it should be revised in accordance with the law.
The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that offences involving dangerous drugs are prosecuted firmly and that penalties reflect the gravity of such crimes and their impact on society.
