Soldier fined for being found with marijuana

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Andrew Matochi

Andrew Matochi, a 34 year-old Malawian soldier from Kamuzu Barracks has been fined K100,000 after Police in Nkhotakota apprehended him for being found with Indian hemp which he claimed to be Cassava flour (Kondowole).

Andrew Matochi
Andrew Matochi; Fined.

Nkhotakota Police Public Relations Officer, Sub-Inspector Williams Kaponda confirmed the development saying the commodities were packed in two military travelling bags.

He said the convict paid the fine. Cases of people being found in possession of the drug are common in the district.

In September last year, police in collaboration with Nkhotakota wildlife and game reserve officials destroyed over 4.5 tonnes and uprooted 4 hectares of the illicit drug which was being illegally cultivated in Nkhotakota Game Reserve.

As a way of ending Indian hemp trafficking in the district, police have promised to reward any person whose report will lead to the arrest of drug dealers.

Possessing cannabis sativa without a licence is contrary to section 4(a) of Dangerous Drug Regulation and 19 (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act.