Man arrested on suspicion of cultivating chamba

Police in Dowa have arrested a 44-year-old man on suspicion that he was cultivating Indian hemp, locally known as chamba.

Dowa Police spokesperson Richard Kaponda said the suspect, whom he identified as Luka Belewa, was arrested over the weekend.

He said police also uprooted the plant grown on about half an acre.

Kaponda said the suspect comes from Mtengowopota Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Msakambewa in the district.

“We received a tip from concerned villagers that the suspect is cultivating Indian hemp in his garden. Police officers went there and they managed to uproot the hemp and arrest the suspect,” he said.

He said the suspect has been charged with cultivating Indian hemp, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act. n