Malawi woman arrested for possessing Indian hemp

Police at Chingeni road block in Malawi’s Eastern district of Balaka are keeping in custody a 30 year old woman they arrested Monday night for allegedly found with Indian hemp weighing approximately 120 kilograms.

The arrest comes six days after the Police at the same road block arrested a Zomba based man for being found with Indian hemp.

Balaka police spokesperson sub-inspector Joseph Sauka says the suspect Veronica Mwale hid  the Indian hemp in two big baskets.

“The suspect was travelling to Blantyre from Nkhotakota in a 7 tonner lorry registration number BP 1870 of Visionary Ideas which carried planks.

“Upon arrival at Chingeni road block, the officers found the two baskets full of loose Canabis sativa commonly known as Indian hemp weighing approximately 120 kilograms and was covered by dried fish and tied in mosquito net.

“Upon investigations, the officer discovered that the cannabis sativa belonged to the suspect Veronica Mwale,” says Sauka.

Meanwhile, the suspect is in Police custody waiting to appear before court where she will answer a case of being found in possession of Canabis Sativa without licence contrary to regulation 19(1) as read with section 4(a) of Dangerous Drug Act.

Veronica Mwala comes from Timeyo village, Traditional Authority Mkhwala in Nkhotakota district.

Balaka Police Station Community Policing Coordinator Inspector Kennedy Langwani, says the Police in the district is strengthening security in the district ahead of Christmas and New Year festivities so that the season should be crime free and this is just the beginning of tightening security.