Police in Salima are keeping in custody five suspects after being found with chamba.

The five are Chiku Matambo Alfred 38, from Chikanje village Traditional Authority Kanyenda in Nkhotakota, Geofrey Nyirongo 24, from Jalali village Traditional Authority Kaomba in Kasungu, Jawadi Sanudi 35, from Palani village Traditional Authority Kapeni in Brantyre, Jailosi Kachingwe 35, from Maganga village, Traditional Authority Maganga in Salima and Moses Liwonde 18, from Pendwe village, Traditional Authority Kanyenda in Nkhotakota.

On the morning of May 24 police received a tip from well wishers that some people are carrying out the syndicate. Working on the tip, the law enforcers led by the drug section from national police headquarters mounted a snap roadblock at Chikwawa Trading Centre along Nkhotakota – Salima Road.

While on duty, the first three suspects approached using a Honda Freed Saloon vehicle registration number BV 4332 carrying vehicle seats but we believe it was used for observation.

Within minutes, another vehicle, Voxy registration number NN 8512 also came but immediately after being stopped, the driver escaped. A search in the vehicle found 247 plastic bags containing Chamba strongly believed to belong to the three who were using the Saloon.

Later the officers arrested Kachingwe while carrying 78 90kg bags and 8 20kg bags in a five tonner vehicle with registration number BQ3411 before arresting Liwonde who was found with five bricks of loose Chamba in a City Tours bus.

All the five suspects will appear before court soon to answer the charge of being found in possession of Indian hemp which contravenes regulation 4(a) as read with section 19 of the Dangerous Drug Act.

Meanwhile, police are hunting for the driver of the Voxy who escaped. Police also wish to thank the public for the tips they usually give us regarding crime.