As part of the enforcement of laws in the protection of forest reserves in the country, Police have impounded trucks carrying 500 bags of charcoal at Zalewa Roadblock.
According to reliable sources, Police officers from the National Police Headquarters are in a joint operation with the Anti-Corruption Bureau -ACB and the Department of Forestry to deal with charcoal smuggling which has depleted the much-needed forest cover in the country.
In the course of their operations in the wee hours of Wednesday 8 November 2023, the police with their counterparts have already arrested seven people in connection to the crime.
Among those arrested include a driver of BP 5187 Samson Mwamwadi of Butao Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mlauli, in Neno District.
The suspects were arrested for Possessing and Trafficking Forest Produce without a permit.
They were using motor vehicles ERF truck blue in colour registration number BP 5187 and a Scania truck blue in colour registration number BLK 4294.
Reports reaching MBC online indicates more arrest are expected mainly for abuse of office and negligence for those who were manning the checkpoints among others.
Meanwhile National Police Publicist, Peter Kalaya, confirmed the arrest of the seven suspects by the special joint operation team.
He said the trucks are being kept at B- Division for safekeeping as the suspects are being charged for the offences they have committed.
ACB is yet to comment on the joint operation.
Source: MBC Online
