The Chisamba Magistrate court has sentenced two people to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour for trafficking in cannabis but suspended the sentence for two years.
Resident Magistrate, Susan Magalashi, convicted Gift Munkombwe and Ackson Zimba, both aged 37 and residents of Ten Miles area in Chisamba district in Central Province following their plea of guilty.
Magistrate Magalashi suspended the custodial sentences of the convicts under Section 39 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 2021.
Munkombwe was facing one count of trafficking in 2.1 kilograms (kg) of cannabis while Zimba was separately charged with trafficking in 1.2 kgs of marijuana, contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Public Prosecutor, Lydia Nyoka, earlier told the court that the seized substance tested positive for cannabis, containing a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with a concentration of 1 percent and 0.98 percent, which exceeds the legal potency limit of 0.3 percent.
Particulars of the offence are that on May 22nd and 23rd 2026, Munkombwe and Zimba trafficked in 2.1 kgs and 1.2 kgs of cannabis respectively on separate occasions without lawful authority.
Following a search, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers from Kabwe arrested the duo after uncovering seven sachets of marijuana and four pre-packs of the drug in their possession.
The search also revealed an additional nine sachets of marijuana, a large pre-pack, and loose vegetable matter.
“On 22nd May 2026 and 23rd May, 2026, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers based in Kabwe conducted an operation at Ten Miles area after a tip off from members of the public,” facts read in part.
Magistrate Magalashi found each of the two accused guilty after they entered a guilty plea and admitted the facts.
After being found guilty of the offences, Munkombwe and Zimba pleaded for leniency and asked the court for mercy, saying that sending them to prison would unjustly punish their families.
“It is illegal in our country to possess marijuana and warrants a minimum mandatory sentence of up to a maximum sentence of 25years,” Magistrate Magalashi said.
Delivering her judgment, Magistrate Magalashi sentenced each of the accused to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour but suspended the sentence for 24 months.
Magistrate Magalashi said the sentences are suspended on condition that the convicts remain law-abiding citizens during the probation period and do not commit further offenses.
The court warned that if the convicts reoffend within their sentence period, they will serve their original terms plus an additional ten years.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Magalashi has ordered DEC officers to destroy the seized cannabis in the presence of the clerk of court.
