A 73-year-old resident of Chienge District in Luapula Province has been sentenced to 12 months of simple imprisonment for trafficking in Cannabis Sativa.
The convicted individual, identified as Sypriano Chishimba, was charged with trafficking in psychotropic substances, a violation of Zambia’s strict drug laws. The case was brought before Resident Magistrate Luckson Mbewe, where Senior Public Prosecutor Juziel Zulu represented the prosecution.
The incident unfolded on October 3, 2023, when Chishimba was apprehended by officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for his involvement in the trafficking of Cannabis Sativa, a potent psychoactive substance.
Prosecutor Juziel Zulu told the court that the DEC had acted on a tip-off, receiving information that Chishimba was involved in drug trafficking activities in Kalanguluka village. Responding promptly to the report, a team of DEC officers was assembled and dispatched to the village in question.
Upon arriving at Chishimba’s residence, the DEC officers conducted a thorough search, leading to the discovery of a substantial quantity of Cannabis Sativa. A total of 944 grams of the psychotropic substance were seized during the operation.
When questioned by the authorities, Chishimba readily admitted to possessing the illicit substance, further incriminating himself in the eyes of the law.
During the mitigation phase of the trial, Chishimba attempted to plead for leniency by highlighting his status as a widower and his advanced age. He contended that his responsibilities included the care of his ailing child, arguing that imprisonment would exacerbate an already challenging situation.
In delivering the sentence, Resident Magistrate Luckson Mbewe expressed his disappointment at Chishimba’s attempt to use his age as a mitigating factor. The magistrate emphasized the growing prevalence of drug trafficking cases in the district, affirming the need for stringent penalties to deter potential offenders.
“I have, therefore, sentenced you to 12 months of simple imprisonment, with the sentence taking effect from October 6, 2023,” declared Magistrate Mbewe.
These judges are evil to the core. This is field were the likes of Archbishop Mpundu should use their soul.
Poor man is easy to get and imprison…but the ones involved in the hard and dangerous drugs are free driving in their expensive vehicles from Mall to Mall
Who ever tipped off the DEC did it out of jealousy.
This is not even a dangerous drug. It’s like cafenol. How you take it is what could affect you.
Chamba che please not ati ma Latin names. It’s primitive to imprison an old man for chamba which is a Zambian traditional practice. It’s legal or decriminalised in more advanced neighbours and the USA who sponsors this absurdity while busy smoking weed
Unfortunately, our laws are draconian. The lawmakers were just copying and pasting laws from other jurisdictions without soul searching.
They only grant licences to HHs foreign friends but arrest our citizens who own the plant. Fuseke
whos been given licences 1d10t
Tikki go fark yourself
Shame to the judge!!