A police sweeping exercise in Mzuzu has busted two pangolin traffickers who were in possession of the endangered species.

Mzuzu Police Publicist, Paul Tembo, said the initial exercise targeted those who were contravening COVID-19 guidelines but in the process uncovered the two pangolin traffickers.

Pangolins are important in an ecosystem as they help to keep some destructive pests in check. One Pangolin can eat 70 million termites/insects in a year.

Meanwhile, 39 people are in the cooler for contravention of COVID-19, guidelines.

The Pangolin traffickers are scheduled to appear in Court this afternoon.