Man fined K1 million for cultivating cannabis in Chitipa
By Andrew Weddings……
The Chitipa First Grade Magistrate’s Court has fined a 45-year-old man, George Mulungu, K1 million after convicting him of cultivating and possessing 84.6 kilograms of cannabis without a licence.
The court heard that police officers from Chitipa Police Station arrested Mulungu on June 17, 2026, after discovering the cannabis at his home in Chisembe Village, under Senior Chief Mwaulambya in Chitipa District.
During mitigation, Mulungu pleaded for leniency, telling the court he was a first-time offender.
However, State Prosecutor Robert Chawinga urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, arguing that cannabis is a dangerous drug with harmful effects on users and that the accused knowingly broke the law by cultivating and possessing it without a licence.
In his ruling, Magistrate Billy Ngosi agreed with the State’s submissions but took into account Mulungu’s status as a first-time offender. He fined him K1 million or, in default, sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour.
The court also ordered that the 84.6 kilograms of cannabis be destroyed by burning.
