Police in Nsanje on over the week end arrested four suspects for being found in possession of forest produce without license and entering into protected area without authorisation.

Nsanje Police Public Relations Officer, Agnes Zalakoma said the four committed the offence at Kalulu, Masenjere Forest in the area of Senior Chief Mlolo in the district.

Zalakoma identified the suspects as Ellen Mwakha aged 27 from Bandazi village, Funny Mwakha aged 39 from Mkweza village, Davies Kauluka, 30 years old of Ng’ombe village and Daison Malemu, 18 years old from Malema village, all in the area of Traditional Authority Mlolo in the district.

Zalakoma further told Malawi News Agency that the suspects entered into a protected area and cut down indigenous trees and produced charcoal, adding that forestry officers reported the matter to police.

“Police in conjunction with forest officers carried out an operation and intercepted 25 bags of charcoal,” she added.

Zalakoma said all the suspects will appear before court soon to answer charges labeled against them.

Meanwhile Police in the district said will continue with the operation and warned that those involved in the malpractice will face the law.