Nkhotakota police arrested a Malawi Defence Force soldier on Monday 19 October 2015 at the Kaombe checking point as he drove on the Dwangwa-Lilongwe road.[1] Officers at the checkpoint found the soldier’s two travelling bags filled to capacity with Indian hemp.[1] Police identified the soldier as Andrew Matochi, 34, of Kamuzu Barracks, who hails from Kanyenda village in the district.[1] Matochi could not explain where he got the hemp and was arrested.[1]

The Nkhunga First Grade Magistrate Court convicted and sentenced Matochi on Thursday 29 October 2015 for being found in possession of cannabis sativa at the Kaombe roadblock.[2] Magistrate Buleya ordered Matochi to pay a K100,000 fine or, in default, serve two years’ imprisonment with hard labour.[2] The magistrate told Matochi that the court expected law enforcers to set an example and that a stiff punishment was required so others could learn a lesson.[2] In mitigation Matochi told the court he was remorseful, a first offender and a family man.[2] State prosecutor Sub-Inspector James Ngupasye Muyira told the court that Indian hemp cases are rampant in the district.[2] Possessing cannabis sativa without a licence is contrary to section 4(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Regulation and section 19(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act.[3]

Nkhotakota police spokesperson Sub-Inspector Williams Kaponda confirmed that the hemp had been packed in two military travelling bags.[3] Kaponda said Matochi had paid the fine and that cases of people being found with the drug are common in the district.[3]