Mulenga Musonda writes
The smile on a 27 year old man could be seen by everyone in Court after the Magistrate pronounced that he had committed him to 20 days community service for trafficking.
In this matter Jena Phiri of Choma’s Zambia Township was arraigned to the Choma Magistrates Court for Trafficking in Psychotropic Substances contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence in this matter were that Phiri trafficked in 0.5grams of Marijuana a herbal product of Cannabis Sativa without lawful authority or medical recommendation.
The incident was said to have occurred on 5th April 2020 in Choma district of Southern Province.
When the matter came up for Facts before Magistrate Muyambango Munukayumbwa, the accused person who earlier admitted the charge also confirmed that the Facts were a true a reflection of what transpired.
According to the Facts dictated by Public Prosecutor Coillard Sikwalulwa, the accused person was apprehend by Drug Enforcement Commission Officers after they received a tip off from members of the public that an unknown person was selling controlled drugs within the Community of Zambia Township.
Upon identifying the house and the suspect, a search in the house yielded to the recovery of 1 ball wighing 0.5grams of Marijuana.
A sample of the Marijuana was sent to the University Teaching Hospital Food and Drug Laboratory were the Public analyst report confirmed that it was Cannabis .
After committing Phiri to 20 days community service with a condition that he may face 3 months in jail with hard labour if he defaulted, Magistrate Munukayumbwa advised him to stay away from Drugs as his next conviction may see him serve a sentence of not less than 10 years.
