Grade six girl in court for drug trafficking

Grade six girl in court for drug trafficking

Chinsali, July 29, 2014, ZANIS…  A 15 year–old  grade six girl and her 49 year old aunt both of Chinsali have pleaded not guilty to trafficking in 507 grams of cannabis.

The duo appeared in the Chinsali Magistrates court yesterday.

Appearing before Magistrate Shadreck Chanda for plea was a grade six juvenile aged 15 of Chinsali Primary School and Maggie Bwalya, 49, both of Chandamali village in Chinsali district.

The duo is alleged to have trafficked in psychotropic substances contrary to Section 6 of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that on 23 July 2014 the duo jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown people willfully and unlawfully did traffic in psychotropic substances namely cannabis weighing 507 grams.

The duo pleaded not guilty and the matter has since been adjourned to 12 August 2014 for commencement of trial while both accused persons are remanded in custody.

Meanwhile, sources at the Drug Enforcement Commissioner (DEC) in Chinsali said the accused juvenile was allegedly given the contraband by her father to hide it at her aunty’s place who is the co-accused after he noticed the presence of a combined team of police and DEC officers in the area.

The sources told ZANIS that the girl’s father who allegedly deals in the same psychotropic substances went into hiding after he heard that his daughter and sister had been apprehended.

The sources said the operation was conducted after a tip off from members of the public.