Police in Mzimba have arrested fourteen people for cutting down trees and operating charcoal business.
Mzimba Police Station spokesperson Peter Botha said the fourteen suspects, six men and eight women were arrested during a joint operation between the Police and the department of Forest at Perekezi Forest reserve.
Botha said the joint operatoion took place from Tuesday June 14, 2022 to Thursday June 16, 2022 in the district.
According to Botha, the suspects were cutting down trees for charcoal and firewood.
The suspects will answer charges of; Production of forest produce (Charcoal), Found in possession of Forest produce without licence, Entry to protected area without permission, and Cutting down trees in a protected area.
The suspects will appear before court soon to answer charges leveled against them.
