Mangochi First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Friday ordered White Maluwa, 25, to pay a fine of K130,000 for being found with medical drugs without licence contrary to section 95(1) of Pharmacy and medicine regulatory authority.

State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Emmanuel Kambwiri told the court that on the afternoon of June 23, this year while patrolling around Namwera-Katuli area, Mangochi Police Detectives were tipped by members of the community that Maluwa was selling medical drugs at Katuli market.

The team bursted the said place where they actually found assorted medical drugs without licence.

He was found with 120 capsules of amoxicillin, 112 tablets of oral contraceptives, 310 tablets of cotrim, 24 bottles of ARV’s, 370 tablets of zinc, 1114 tablets of bactrim, 36 tablets of declofenac, 30 tablets of panadol, 58 tablets of paracetamol, 560 tablets of pyridoxineu, 300 tablets of cipro, 136 tablets of plasquantile, 460 tablets of magnessium, 3261 tablets of Cpz, 340 tablets of quinine, 423 tablets of prednisone, 300 indocine and 36 tablets of fragile among others.

Appearing in court, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge.

In mitigation the accused person asked for court’s leniency stating that he is poor and his family will struggle for sustainability if sent to jail. However, the state objected his plea arguing that Maluwa violated the laws and is not eligible to be selling drugs since he does not have a licence.

Passing the sentence, First Grade Magistrate Mtunduwatha Mpasu concurred with the state hence ordered him to pay K130,000 fine in default 12 months imprisonment with hard labour and the medical drugs should be forfeited to Malawi Government.

In the meantime Maluwa has failed to produce the cash.

White Maluwa hails from Wadali Village Traditional authority Katuli in Mangochi.