By Rahim Abdul
Police in Mchinji have successfully intercepted a sugar smuggling operation, arresting four suspects and seizing 142 bales of Illovo Malawi Brown Sugar.
The suspects, comprising three Zambian nationals and one Malawian, were attempting to transport the sugar to Zambia through unauthorized routes.
The operation was intelligence-driven, following a tip-off from well-wishers who reported the suspects’ activities.
Police, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Trade, pursued and intercepted the vehicles – three Toyota Corollas and a Toyota Probox – at an ungazetted route near Mango/Zalewa.
The suspects have been identified as Shabani Chunga, a 43-year-old Malawian from Nkhotakota, and three Zambian nationals: Joshua Daka, 37; Francis Banda, 30; and Tambulayi Jere, 27.
The vehicles and sugar have been seized, and the suspects are in police custody pending further investigations.
The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Ministry of Trade have been alerted, as the smuggling compromises revenue collection.
The Ministry of Trade had previously issued a ban on sugar exports. Police are working to uncover the source and networks behind this smuggling operation.
