A Phalombe court has ordered a 46-year-old man, Weston Meleka, to pay a fine of 80,000 kwacha for cultivating marijuana without a permit.

Phalombe police spokesperson Sergeant Jimmy Kapanja said the court was informed by Sub-Inspector Willie Kudzulani that the man was caught on the 8th of this month.

When he appeared in court, Meleka pleaded guilty to the charge and asked for leniency, saying he was a first-time offender.

Second Grade Magistrate Caroline Nthenda ordered him to pay a fine of 80,000 kwacha, which he has since paid, or face a one-year prison sentence.

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