The Kapiri Mposhi Magistrates’ court has sentenced 21-year-old James Chifunda to 18 months imprisonment with hard labor for unlawful drug trafficking.
Chifunda, who is an unemployed youth from Valley View area, was found guilty of trafficking 110 grams of Cannabis sativa, also known as Indian Hemp, without lawful authority.
Chifunda was charged under section 15 subsection 1 and subsection 2 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act number 35 of 2021, as read with Statutory Instrument SI number 119 of 1995 of the laws of Zambia.
He pleaded guilty to the charge, which stemmed from an incident on May 19, 2025, in Kapiri Mposhi district of Central province.
In mitigation, Chifunda appealed for leniency, citing his responsibility for his financially struggling parents.
Magistrate Mwila Malupande took into account that Chifunda was a first offender and had not wasted the court’s time. However, the Magistrate noted that drug trade-related offenses have become increasingly common in the district and issued a warning to potential offenders.
Magistrate Malupande sentenced Chifunda to 18 months imprisonment with hard labor.
The sentence aims to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders and address the growing concern of drug trade in the district.
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