Ntcheu Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has ordered two men, Felix Tembo, 30, and Paul Bazilo, 29, to pay a fine of K5 million each or, in default, serve 12 months in prison with hard labour for illegal possession of Cannabis Sativa (Chamba).

State Prosecutor, Thomas Lucio, told the court that the two were arrested at Senzani while transporting 157.74 kilogramnes of the substance in a Ford Ranger. They failed to produce any valid documentation.

Both Tembo and Bazilo pleaded guilty to the charges. The State had earlier asked the court to impose a stiffer punishment, arguing that such offences endanger public health and safety.

Delivering his sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Imran Alley Abu said the penalty should serve as a deterrent to others involved in the illicit trade.

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