Pubdate: Tue, 8 Feb 2000 Source: Panafrican News Agency Copyright: 2000 Africa News Service Contact: http://www.africanews.org/ Author: Raphael Tenthani MALAWI ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE BOOMS BLANTYRE, Malawi (PANA) - The Malawi police has said in 1999 alone police recorded 952 cases of drug Trafficking in the country. Most of these involved marijuana or cannabis, a weed that grows with minimal care in the tropics like Malawi. Police say in the past year they have seized 36,569 kg of the weed from drug traffickers. According to deputy police spokesman Felix Nkhalamba, 970 suspects, 48 of whom were women, and 27 foreigners, were arrested on drug charges during this period. At least 384 drug-related cases have ended in conviction while trial for the others is still pending. Nkhalamba said among the foreigners were five Britons, seven Zimbabweans, five Tanzanians, four Mozambicans and two Zambians. A South African, a Portuguese and a Canadian were also involved in the secretive but lucrative and fast- growing drug trade. Police statistics show that 80 percent of the total annual production of marijuana finds its way across the borders to the lucrative South African market. Some of it may even end up in European and American markets. Malawi's brand of cannabis which contains cannabenoids - a chemical substance that has the power of changing people's moods - is said to be one of the most potent in the world. It is therefore a much sought-after drug which makes it fetch thousands of dollars. Which is why despite being a banned drug many people still grow and traffic in it in spite of the knowledge of the risks involved. Late 1999, the police arrested four people attempting to ship 17 50-kg bags of the drug out of Malawi. Police estimate that had the contraband reached the streets of Johannesburg or London, it could have fetched not less than 20,000 US dollars. Perhaps it is this potential street value of marijuana that has led to calls for the de-criminalisation of the weed from no less a figure than a parliamentarian. Joe Manduwa, a member of parliament of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) of President Bakili Muluzi, said with the increasing demand for it, marijuana as a crop may just be the answer to Malawi's economic ills. "But a lot of legal work has to be done before the crop is registered," he said. Manduwa, who is also a successful commercial farmer, proposed a pilot project on the viability of the weed as a commercial export. But the MP will have an uphill task to convince his fellow MPs to legalise the weed. Nkhalamba said many young people take the drug believing they will be able to read lots of books and therefore pass their exams with flying colours. They, however, according to him, end up in mental clinics or involved in violent crimes as addicts seeking money to support the habit. James Mwenechanya, a social welfare officer in the ministry of Youth, Gender and Community Services, also regretted that many young people, including students, have taken deeply to weed smoking. "Cannabis has of late become the most sought-after drug by young people. Students believe that if they take the drug, they would be able to excel. Instead, it has spoilt their future." Police spokesman Oliver Soko said Malawi is also experiencing an influx of imported processed hard drugs such as mandrax, cocaine and heroin. He said government is trying hard to fight the drug trade. As part of its efforts to fight the trade, two years ago the government launched a programme where persons who provide leads to the police on drug traffickers and users would be given a reward for their efforts. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D