LAMU, Kenya — A Lamu court has fined a man Sh50 million or, in default, sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment after convicting him of trafficking narcotic drugs by storing cannabis sativa and diazepam.
Resident Magistrate Flavian Mulama found Abdulrahman Issa guilty of trafficking narcotic drugs contrary to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, following an incident that occurred on March 12, 2026, at Tchundwa Village in Lamu East Sub-county.
According to the prosecution, Issa committed the offence jointly with other individuals who were not before the court.
Drugs Recovered During Patrol
The court heard that police officers on patrol intercepted Issa while he was carrying an orange bag.
A search of the bag led to the recovery of:
- 250 grams of cannabis sativa
- 10 diazepam tablets
- A roll of partially smoked bhang
- A razor blade
- A metallic spoon
- A transparent side plate
- A broken tile
- A matchbox
The prosecution argued that the recovered items demonstrated the drugs were being prepared and stored for distribution.
Defence Rejected
In his defence, Issa denied possessing the narcotics, claiming police recovered the exhibits from his father’s house after arresting him alongside two other men.
However, he did not call the alleged co-arrestees as witnesses to support his account.
In his judgment, Magistrate Mulama held that the prosecution presented consistent, credible and corroborated evidence through the testimony of its three witnesses.
The court found that the evidence established beyond reasonable doubt that Issa was in possession of the orange bag containing the narcotics and other exhibits.
“The prosecution’s evidence outweighs that of the defence,” the magistrate ruled.
Evidence Pointed to Drug Trafficking
The magistrate further found that the circumstances surrounding the arrest pointed to drug trafficking rather than personal consumption.
He observed that the razor blade, metallic spoon, transparent side plate and partially smoked bhang recovered alongside the narcotics were consistent with the preparation and repackaging of drugs for distribution.
The court also relied on a Government Chemist’s report confirming that the recovered substances were cannabis and diazepam, both classified as narcotic drugs under Kenyan law.
The report was not challenged by the defence during the trial.
Sentence and Right of Appeal
After finding the accused guilty under Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the court sentenced Issa to pay a Sh50 million fine or serve 10 years in prison if he fails to pay.
The court also informed the convict of his right to appeal against both the conviction and sentence within 14 days.
