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Cannabis Regulatory Authority Board Member Arrested With 19.2kg of “Weed”
Police in Mzimba have arrested two men, including a member of the Cannabis Regulatory Authority (CRA) Board, for allegedly being found in possession of 19.2 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa without the required permit.
Jenda Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sub-Inspector Gladwell Simwaka, said the suspects are Davide Chikomeni Chirwa, 49, of Chitichi Village in Traditional Authority Mzikubola in Mzimba District, and Storm Kandodo, 45, of Mpulula Village in Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka District.
According to Simwaka, the two were arrested during the night of August 6, 2026, at the Jenda Police Roadblock after officers stopped their Toyota Sienta, registration number BW 2336, which was travelling from Lilongwe towards Mzuzu.
The officers allegedly found the two men carrying 19.2 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa without supporting documentation authorising its possession or transportation.
Police have since seized the suspected cannabis.
Chirwa, also known as Ras Chikomeni, was appointed to the Cannabis Regulatory Authority Board in late 2025.
At the time of his appointment, he said he intended to help steer the board towards organising and developing Malawi’s cannabis industry to create wealth, generate employment for young people and increase government revenue.
“Our duty is to ensure the industry operates effectively and delivers on its promise to support government revenue and empower the youth,” Chirwa said.
Chirwa is also a long-time advocate for the legalisation and regulation of cannabis in Malawi.
The two suspects are expected to appear in court soon to answer charges of possession of Cannabis Sativa without a permit, once police complete the necessary paperwork.
Police investigations are continuing.
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