Brothers arrested for cultivating chamba

Police in Ntchisi have arrested two brothers for allegedly cultivating and being found in possession of Indian hemp, commonly known as chamba, without a licence.

Ntchisi Police Station spokesperson Gladson M’bumpha identified the suspects as Esau Banda, 20, and Samuel Banda, 21, of Ching’amba Village in Traditional Authority Chilooko in the district.

He said the brothers were arrested on Friday at Ching’amba Village following a tip-off from well-wishers that the duo had cultivated Indian hemp in their dimba gardens.

He said Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officers went to the village where Esau was arrested and he led the team to the chamba garden.

“Having reached the garden, the officers uprooted the Indian hemp and arrested Samuel who arrived at the garden during the operation,” said M’bumpha.

Police also searched the houses of the suspects where they found two kilogrammes of loose Indian hemp wrapped in a sack, according to M’bumpha.

The suspects will appear court soon to answer charges of cultivating and being found in possession of Indian hemp.