Lusaka Drug Dealer Sentenced to Seven Years for Cannabis Trafficking and Corruption

Lusaka Drug Dealer Sentenced to Seven Years for Cannabis Trafficking and Corruption

A Lusaka-based drug dealer, Henry Shula Kasolo, has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment with hard labour after being convicted of drug trafficking, illegal importation of cannabis and corruption.

Kasolo was convicted on three counts by Lusaka Magistrate Webster Milumbe on August 31, 2026, after the court found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The sentences imposed on each count will run concurrently from the date of his arrest on July 26, 2025.

The case followed a joint operation by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in July 2025, which led to investigations linking Kasolo to the trafficking and illegal importation of 73.9 kilogrammes of cannabis.

According to court findings, Kasolo also offered K60,000 to DEC officer Japhet Tembo as gratification in an alleged attempt to secure the release of two Thai nationals who were being investigated for drug trafficking.

Passing judgment, Magistrate Milumbe said the court was satisfied that there was sufficient evidence connecting Kasolo to the offences.

“The evidence before court established the accused person’s involvement in the trafficking and illegal importation of cannabis, as well as the attempted payment to DEC officers,” Magistrate Milumbe said.

The two Thai nationals, identified as Den Wangngae and Phuwanat Hansogngram, were also part of investigations into the alleged drug trafficking activities.

The conviction highlights continued efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and corruption involving public officers in Zambia.