man get five years for heroin trafficking

THE High Court has sentenced a-36-year-old businessman of Choma to five years imprisonment with hard labour for trafficking in heroin and marijuana.

This is in a case Doubt Mwiinga of Shampande township in Choma is charged with two counts of trafficking in psychotropic substances.

On June, 1, this year in Choma, Mwiinga trafficked 74.48 grammes of heroin and also 20.3 kilogrammes of marijuana without any lawful authority.

When the matter came up for sentencing before High Court judge Kenneth Mulife, the state indicated to the court that it supports the conviction of the lower court.

Judge Mulife informed the prosecution and defense that he was satisfied with the conviction of the lower court and would proceed to sentence him.

But the defense lawyer, Martin Makinka argued that his client is a first offender who deserves leniency for having admitted the charge.

Mr Makinka said the lower courts have even meted out sentences between six months and two years’ imprisonment with hard labour for such offenses.

He said the quantity that was found with him is not equal to the magnitude of sentencing him to nine months imprisonment with hard labour is excessive.

And Judge Mulife said the records of the court shows that the decision to commit him to the High Court was because of the prevalence of the offense and quantity of the drugs involved.

He said the lower court notes that the drugs are menace to society.

Judge Mulife said this is a proper case for committing to the High Court for sentencing as the convict deserves nine years imprisonment with hard labour sentence.

He said his court agrees with the lower court that drugs are menace to society considering the quantity involved which is an aggravating factor in this case.

He said it is for this reason that his court needs to send a message to society by meting a deterrent sentences.  

“In the first count, I will send you to prison for four years imprisonment with hard labour and in the second count to five years imprisonment with hard labour,” he said.

“These sentences, I have imposed on you will run concurrently meaning you will just serve five imprisonment. You are informed of your right to appeal,” he said. End