Police in Mzimba have arrested at least six people for allegedly importing 135 bags of charcoal from Zambia into Malawi.

Sub-inspector Steven Simwera Desk officer for forest crimes at Mzimba police confirmed of the arrests.

According to Simwera, the six used a vehicle registration number MZ 47 belonging to the Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) of Livingstonia Synod.

Out of the six, five are women and the other is the driver of the vehicle.

The six have been identified as Cecelia Gama aged 28, Esher Khoza aged 27, Jessie Nyirenda aged 34, Judith Hara aged 27, Helen Chirwa aged 22 and a driver Frank Gondwe aged 29.

The five women have been charged with the offence of possession and importation of forest produce while the driver will answer a charge of trafficking forest produce into the country.