Police in Nsanje have arrested four suspects for possessing forest produce without licence and entering into protected area without authority.
Nsanje Police Public Relations Officer Agnes Zalakoma said the four committed the offence at Kalulu, Masenjere forest in the area of Senior Chief Mlolo in the district.
They are Ellen Mwakha, 27 from Bandazi Village, Funny Mwakha, 39 from Mkweza Village, Davies Kauluka, 30 years old of Ng’ombe Village and Daison Malemu, 18, from Malema Village, all in the area of Traditional Authority Mlolo in the district.
Zalakoma explained that the suspects entered into a protected area and started cutting down indigenous trees and producing charcoal and Forestry officers reported the matter to police.
“Police in conjunction with Forest Department driven operation, intercepted twenty five bags of charcoal,” Zalakoma added.
She said all the suspects will appear before court soon to answer their respective charges leveled against them
Nsanje is among the districts affected by natural disasters caused by reckless cutting down of trees.
By Patrick Gulaye, MANA
