Police in Dowa have arrested seven people today for allegedly being found in possession of 150 bags of charcoal without a licence.

According to Dowa police publicist, Gladson Mbumpha, police acted on a tip from well-wishers that the suspects were trafficking in forest produce via Chibazi primary school in the area of Traditional Authority Nsakambewa in the district.

The seven were in a motor vehicle registration number

NU 7735 Benz 15 tonnes lorry.

The driver of the motor vehicle fled soon after noticing the presence of police officers at the scene.

The suspects will appear in court soon to answer charges of being found in possession of forest produce and trafficking in forest produce without a licence.