Malawi Police nab Indian hemp peddlers in Nkhotakota

Police in Nkhotakota arrested four men for illegally found in possession of Indian hemp locally known as Chamba.

Among the suspect’s were Felix Maulidi (35) and January Jafali Phiri (30) who are co-accused of found with 26 bags of the illicit drug loaded in 90 and 50 kilograms sacks.

Nkhotakota police station criminal investigation officer (SCIO), assistant superintendant Cosmas Kadzandira told Nyasa Times: “Working on a tip, on the night of Monday August 31, 2015, we ambushed the house of Felix Maulidi at Mchambwe village, just few metres before Lake Malawi.

“Later upon search, we found 26 bags of hemp of which nine were loaded in sacks covered with mosquito nets. We arrested Maulidi.”

He said during questioning, Mualidi confessed that he is not the owner but January Phiri who came in the night and coaxed him to keep the illicit drug.

But before making a move to arrest Phiri two drug traffickers Steven Phiri (30) and Chilizani Mwenda (20) unknowingly passed by police at the scene. During the time, police did not use police motor vehicle. When stopped and asked what was in their bags one voluntarily revealed that they have carried the dangerous drug and were immediately arrested.

Thereafter, the police arrested January Jafali Phiri at Nkhotakota trading centre.

All have been charged with a case of found in possession of cannabis sativa contrary to section 4 (a) of the dangerous drugs regulation and 19 (1) of Dangerous Drug Act.

The suspects Felix Maulidi (35) and his co-accused January Jafali Phiri (30) hail from Mchambwe village, in the area of traditional authority (T/A) Mphonde in Nkhotakota and Mwasinja in the area of traditional authority (T/A) Kachindamoto in Dedza district respectively.

While the other two are Steven Phiri (30) and Chilizani Mwenda (20) all fom Kabuwa village, in the area of traditional authority (T/A) Khonsolo in Mzimba district.