The Second Grade Magistrate Court in Thyolo has sentenced Patrick Ombwa (37) and Maxwell M’bwana (29) to 30 months in prison after they were found guilty of illegally cultivating cannabis in Lupiya village.

During the trial, government prosecutor Stella Mwinaniwa told the court that police were tipped off about the case on 30 September this year. Investigating officers discovered 550 cannabis plants at Ombwa’s farm and 500 plants at M’bwana’s property.

In court, both men pleaded for leniency. Ombwa explained that he had children to care for, while M’bwana said he was responsible for elderly dependents.

However, Magistrate Thomson Sikweya ruled that both must either pay K400,000 each or serve 30 months in prison, noting that cultivating cannabis without a license poses significant risks

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