The four suspects are identified as Steven Ferix Kaphinda, 33, who hails from Kamera village in the area of Traditional Authority Mavwere in Mchinji District, Levison Kapanda, 46, from Mbedza village in the area of Traditional Authority Dzoole in Dowa District, Japhet Banda, 38,from Nyamawede village in the area of Traditional Authority Nyoka in Mchinji District and Lambaza Linde, 47, from Dulewakuda in the area of Traditional Authority Mkanda in Mchinji District.

The suspects were arrested on June 15, 2021 at around 08 o’clock at Kasangadzi Bridge.

CID officers from Mponela Police received an information that a SCANIA truck registration number BX1888 was carrying bales of tobacco to unknown destination without valid documents.

Following a tip, officers from Mponela Police Station mounted an ad hoc Roadblock at Kasangazi bridge and the truck containing 66 bales of flue cured tobacco was impounded which led to the arrest of suspects.

The suspects are in police custody and they will appear before court soon after investigations to answer the charges of transportation of tobacco without registration contrary to Section 66 of Tobacco Industry Act.