A 45-year-old Chitipa man, George Mulungu has walked away with a heavy K1 million fine after police uncovered a massive cannabis stash weighing 84.6 kilograms.
Chitipa First Grade Magistrate Court convicted George Mulungu on Thursday, July 2, after finding him guilty of cultivating and possessing Cannabis sativa without a licence.
The court heard that police from Chitipa Police Station arrested Mulungu on June 17, 2026, after discovering the illicit crop at his home in Chisembe Village under Senior Chief Mwaulambya.
State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Robert Chawinga told the court that Mulungu knowingly broke the law, insisting that the quantity involved was too large to treat lightly.
“The quantity involved was substantial and the accused was aware that cultivating and possessing the drug without a licence is against the law,” Chawinga said, pushing for a stiff penalty.
In mitigation, Mulungu pleaded for leniency, telling the court he was a first-time offender and had no previous record with the law.
First Grade Magistrate Billy Ngosi, while acknowledging the plea, sided with the State’s argument on the seriousness of the offence but still considered his clean record.
The court then fined Mulungu K1 million or, in default, ordered 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.
Magistrate Ngosi also ordered that the 84.6 kilograms of Cannabis sativa be destroyed by burning, bringing the case to a decisive end.
By Andrew Weddings
