A 25-year-old Mufulira resident who was found guilty of trafficking 35 grams of marijuana was given a 10-year prison term plus hard labor.
Because Bweli Simutowe committed the same offense twice, a 10-year sentence was imposed on him.
In a previous conviction, he received a six-month sentence with a 12-month suspension.
However, Simutowe returned for a second offense of trafficking psychotropic chemicals in violation of Zambian law and pleaded guilty.
Judge Daniel Musonda stated that he took note of the fact that the defendant was a repeat offender when the case was brought before him.
Simutowe stated that he was a married father of three children in his request for the court’s leniency as a mitigating factor.
Judge Musonda mentioned Simutowe’s repentance and mitigation in his punishment.
“I will sentence you to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour as a mandatory sentence for a second offender,” he said.
