Man jailed for life in Mombasa over 155 rolls of bhang

A drug peddler has been jailed for life by a Mombasa court for transporting 155 rolls of bhang from Migori County to Likoni, Mombasa.

Emmanuel Chacha was arrested on Monday at the Likoni Ferry screening area when police found the rolls of bhang worth Sh23,250 stashed in two bags he was carrying.

Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate Edga Kagoni said the drug menace has rendered many local youths unproductive, and the ruling should be a warning to would-be peddlers.

“People like you need to be kept away from the public to act as a warning to those already in the business and as a deterrent to those planning to engage in [it],” he said.

The magistrate said the quantity of the bhang showed the peddler had a designated destination and he intended to bring harm to the youth.

“I have considered the accused's mitigation, but this offence is serious considering the quantity of the substance. The suspect is aware that the drug menace has caused more harm to young people and rendered them unproductive,” said Mr Kagoni.

When asked to defend himself after pleading guilty to the offence, Chacha was overcame with emotion and burst into tears, begging the court in vain to pardon him, saying he was an orphan and was providing for his siblings.

“For the offence you are charged with, I therefore sentence you to life imprisonment. You have the right to appeal against the sentence within 14 days,” the magistrate ruled.