Money laundering swoop: Two men held with K46 million cash after tip-off at Amaryllis Hotel

Two men have been arrested in Blantyre on suspicion of money laundering, after police caught them allegedly exchanging suspicious sums of foreign currency at the Amaryllis Hotel.

Blantyre Police Spokesperson

Mary Chiponda disclosed that the pair were found in possession of US$9,200 — roughly K15.9 million — along with a further K30 million in local currency.

The suspects, named as Havilla Beighton, 32, and Nickson Nelson Babu, 45, are suspected of having either stolen the money or obtained it unlawfully, according to police.

Chiponda said officers swooped after receiving a tip-off about two suspicious individuals exchanging foreign currency at the hotel.

“Police got a tip that two suspicious people were exchanging foreign currency at Amaryllis hotel. When officers arrived at the scene, the suspects started driving away but were blocked by a police vehicle,” she said.

The dramatic arrest brings the total amount recovered to nearly K46 million in cash, with investigations now underway to establish the origin of the money and whether it is linked to any wider criminal activity.