Malawi Police uproot 405 plants of hemp in Northern Region
Malawi Police in Rumphi have arrested 40 year old James Mfune from Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe in Rumphi for cultivating Indian hemp, which is illegal.
Senior Superintendent Charles Mpezeni of Rumphi Police Station said police were tipped-off that the suspect was cultivating Indian hemp in his garden, which prompted police investigation.
“We received a tip from well-wishers that someone was cultivating Indian hemp and we organised an operation which led to the arrest of the suspect and the uprooting of 405 plants of cannabis in his garden. The suspect planted Indian hemp on an anthill which was in the middle of his maize field. This is where the plants of cannabis were uprooted,” said Mpezeni.
The police officer said Mfune was arrested on the spot and charged with cultivating Indian hemp contrary to the Dangerous Drugs Act.
“The suspect is in police custody and has been charged with the offence of cultivating Indian hemp, contrary to Regulation 7 of the Dangerous Drugs Act,” he said.
Mfune comes from Chipereka Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe in the district.
Arrests in Lilongwe
In a related development, Police in Lilongwe have arrested two people for being found with a backpack and two expand bags full of Cannabis Sativa.
The two have been identified as 27 year old Vincent Tembo of Kaseleka village T/A Kaomba in Kasungu and 18 year old Yamikani Jenikala of Benjamin village, T/A Nthache also from Kasungu district.
Lilongwe Police Station spokesperson Inspector Kingsley Dandaula said the two were arrested at Bunda roadblock on May 24, 2017.
“Police officers on duty stopped Ulemu Bus registration number BU 4875 travelling to Blantyre. Upon conducting a routine search, they came across a backpack and two suitcases full of Indian hemp. The discovery of the owners of the bags was made following a tip from a well wisher,” said Dandaula.
Dandaula said it is important for the public to be informing the police on criminal activities so that the police may act on the same.
“It is vital to tip police officers on suspicious activities. In this case, if the suspects were not arrested, the hemp would have reached the market and be sold to a lot of people including minors,” explained Dandaula.
The hemp has been sent to Chitedze Research Station for examination. Currently, the two suspects are in custody waiting for trial.
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Change the title to reflect the correct nature of the story. The correct title should be: “Malawi Police arrest hemp dealers”. Lilongwe or Kasungu are not part of the Northern Region. Neither is Rumphi the Northern Region but just a small part of it.
who told you to be cultivating indian hemp? ndiwe mbuli zedi
Kodi mesa fodya munati tizilima,nanga mukuwazuziranji anthu?