LUSAKA DRUG DEALER JAILED FOR CORRUPTION INVOLVING K60,000.00
The Lusaka Subordinate Court has sentenced Henry Shula Kasolo, a drug dealer, to seven (7) years’ imprisonment with hard labour for corruption involving K60,000.00.
In delivering the sentence, Lusaka Magistrate Hon. Webster Milumbe convicted Kasolo on three (3) counts on 31st August 2026 and sentenced him to seven (7) years’ imprisonment with hard labour on each count. The sentences will run concurrently from the date of his arrest, 26th July 2025.
In July 2025, a joint operation by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) resulted in the arrest and charging of Kasolo on three (3) counts.
The charges were one (1) count of Trafficking in Psychotropic Substances, contrary to Section 15(1) and (2) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021, as read with Statutory Instrument No. 119 of 1995 of the Laws of Zambia; one (1) count of Prohibition of Import or Export of Drug or Precursor Chemical, contrary to Section 16(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021, as read with Statutory Instrument No. 119 of 1995 of the Laws of Zambia; and one (1) count of Corrupt Practices by, or with, Public Officers, contrary to Section 19(2), as read with Section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act, Chapter 91 of the Laws of Zambia.
Investigations revealed that, in count one (1), Kasolo, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, trafficked in 73.9 kilogrammes of marijuana, a herbal product of cannabis, without lawful authority.
In count two (2), investigations revealed that Kasolo, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, imported 73.9 kilogrammes of marijuana, a herbal product of cannabis, without lawful authority.
In count three (3), investigations revealed that Kasolo corruptly offered and gave ZMW60,000.00 as gratification to Japhet Tembo, a public officer with the Drug Enforcement Commission, as an inducement or reward for the release of two Thai nationals, Den Wangngae and Phuwanat Hansogngram, who were being investigated for drug trafficking.
In his judgment delivered on 31st August 2026, Hon. Milumbe said there was evidence connecting Kasolo to the attempted movement and importation of cannabis. He further said there was evidence that Kasolo offered money to officers in an attempt to secure the release of the two foreign nationals.
Hon. Milumbe therefore convicted Kasolo on all three charges, stating that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He subsequently sentenced Kasolo to seven (7) years’ imprisonment with hard labour on each count, with the sentences running concurrently.