Nkhotakota recording high cases of Indian hemp possession

After being named the second best police station in combating crime in the central region, Nkhotakota police says in last year 71 people were convicted in the district after the police had arrested them for illegally possessing the illicit drug Cannabis Sativa locally known as Chamba , an increase from 20 convicts in the year 2014.

According to a 2015 by Nkhotakota Police report, from January 1 to December 30, 2015, 81 cases were registered of which 10 were committed by women while 71 were by men. Out of the 81 cases, 71 of the law violators were sentenced and convicted by the courts.

The report also indicates that the convicts and suspects are aged between 20 and 40. Most of the convicts were fined between K10,000 and K900,000 or in default serve between three months and six years jail terms.

In an interview, Nkhotakota detective drug Inspector Nicholas Benedicto attributed the success to the hardworking officers and the cordial relationship the police have with the general public.

“Imagine, in the year 2014 the station and the courts managed to convict 20 people on Indian hemp related cases. While in the year 2015 we have managed to secure 71 convictions on the same. This isn’t a lesser achievement,” said Benedicto.

Benedicto added that most of the arrests occurred at Kaombe police roadblock while others occurred during snap roadblocks, and result of rest-house searching.  Some were caught unaware on uncharted routes and during several sweeping exercises police conducted in the district.

Among the Indian Hemp cases last year, police arrested Matambo Chikwa who was found with 29 bags of Chamba systematically packed in a Toyota carina saloon type, registration number NU 5592. Chikwa was convicted to pay a fine of K900,000 or serve a six-year jail term.

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

Being found in possession of Cannabis sativa without license is contrary to section 4(a) of Dangerous Drug Regulation and 19 (1) of the Dangerous Drug Act.

Police in the district have put in an initiative where anyone whose report will lead to the arrest of traffickers shall be rewarded accordingly.