Lilongwe Police over the weekend arrested five men for being found in possession of Cannabis Sativa without a permit at Lizulu market in the capital.

The suspects have been identified as Joshua Majomeka, 27, George Kachala, 26, Levison Spear, 28, and Shadrick Mbewe, 36.

Working on a tip-off that some people were selling illicit drugs inside Lizulu market, the station’s detectives invaded the area.

Upon searching some of the makeshift structures, police found 85 cigarettes, 27 packets of the cannabis seeds labelled Invegrow, two plastic bags, three cartons, and several small packets all containing loose cannabis.

Police also found carton packages in the car belonging to the first suspect (Joshua), that contained loose cannabis, tagged with such possible destination names as Mzuzu.

Joshua escaped the scene, abandoning his vehicle when the detectives made such a sudden invasion of his business territory.

However, he later handed himself over to the law enforcers at Area 3, after the police had seized the cannabis and impounded the motorvehicle.

The suspects will appear in court this week to answer a case of Found in Possession of Cannabis Sativa Without a Licence.

At the meantime, the cannabis has been taken to Chitedze Research Station for analysis.

Joshua Majomeka comes from Chilomoni Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kapeni, Blantyre, George Kachala is from Zifa Village, T/A Chulu, Kasungu, Levison Spear comes from Manyingala Village, T/A Nsabwe, Thyolo, while Shadrick Mbewe hails from Thomasi Village, T/A Kwataine in Ntcheu District.