A 26-year-old man from Jangome Village, Tari Urban, Hela Province was intercepted at Magarima Check Point on 4 August 2026 by police and defence force personnel, according to EMTV Online. About 4.7 kg of marijuana in 60 rolls was seized.
He appeared in Tari District Court on 10 August. The magistrate found him guilty of possession and fined him K30,000, with 20 years in prison if he does not pay. The case was reported by Hela Provincial Police Commander Inspector Arau Mairi.
Why it matters: The gap between a K30,000 fine and a 20-year default term is stark. A person who cannot pay faces a sentence far out of proportion to the offence.
Source: EMTV Online, 2026-08-13 (translated from en). Forgotten Prisoner's account is based on this reporting.