Four Arrested In Chikwawa Over Illegal Charcoal Worth K11.2 Million
Published on June 5, 2026 at 11:01 AM by Evance Kapito
Police in Chikwawa have arrested two men and two women for allegedly being found in possession of charcoal valued at K11.2 million without valid documentation.
The suspects have been identified as Elizabeth July, 30, Ireen Hassan, 31, Patrick Damiano, 40, and McFarlane Winason, 41. They were arrested on June 4, 2026, at the Thabwa roadblock while travelling from Chapananga to Blantyre.
According to Chikwawa Police deputy spokesperson Chancy Mfune Zare, the suspects were travelling in a Hino truck registration number CK 10749.
Zare said officers manning the roadblock initially discovered 38 bags of charcoal concealed among bags containing plastic materials. A further search revealed that all the bags that appeared to be carrying plastics also contained charcoal hidden inside.
Police suspect the charcoal was being transported illegally as the occupants failed to produce the required documentation.
July and Hassan come from Mtombondera Village, while Damiano and Winason are from Changoima Village under Senior Chief Chapananga in Chikwawa District.
The four are expected to appear before court to answer charges related to the illegal possession and transportation of charcoal.
