Shock and debate continue to ripple across the Copperbelt after Khadijah Miguel — once branded by many as a “Kopala drug queen” — was sentenced to three years behind bars for trafficking 500 grammes of cocaine.
The judgment was delivered by the Lusaka Magistrates Court, bringing to a close a case that has gripped public attention since her arrest in May last year. What stunned many, however, was not just the sentence — but what it truly means.
Although handed a three-year jail term, 18 months of the sentence were suspended. On top of that, the court ordered that her sentence be backdated to the time of her arrest. In practical terms, this means Miguel is now counting down her final months in custody and is expected to walk free by October this year.
The ruling has triggered mixed reactions. Some believe justice has taken its course, while others argue that drug trafficking — especially involving hard substances like cocaine — deserves far harsher punishment. For critics, the relatively short time served raises uncomfortable questions about deterrence and accountability.
Her fall from respected business circles to a prison cell has been dramatic, and now her return to freedom will be just as closely watched. Whether she rebuilds her image quietly or steps back into the spotlight remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: this is a story the Copperbelt will not forget anytime soon.
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