Chisamba magistrate Litungi Litungi sentenced Gift Phiri to 28 months’ imprisonment with hard labour on 28 September 2026 for trafficking 2.1 kilograms of cannabis.[1] Phiri, 35, of Ten Miles, pleaded guilty.[1] The charge was trafficking in psychotropic substances on 7 September 2026, under section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and Statutory Instrument 119 of 1995.[1]
Drug Enforcement Commission officers led by Isaac Nkhuwa found him with two pre-packed quantities hidden in a black bucket at Ten Miles.[1] The University Teaching Hospital Food and Drug Control Laboratory in Lusaka reported the substance was cannabis with 4.7 percent THC, above the 0.3 percent limit the court cited.[1] He confessed in a warn-and-caution statement taken in Nyanja by investigation officer Nancy Banda.[1]
The magistrate said the range for the offence is one to 25 years and treated him as a first offender who had admitted the charge.[1] The court ordered the cannabis forfeited and burned in the presence of court officials.[1]
