Police in Mchinji have confiscated two trucks carrying illegal tobacco, suspected to be en route to Zambia and Mozambique.
The trucks, each carrying two tonnes of flu-cured and burley tobacco, were seized in Mchinji and Namitete, respectively.
Tobacco Commission’s spokesperson, Telephorus Chigwenembe, confirmed this and also said that 447 Kilogrammes of tobacco were seized from Chisomo Zembani in Rumphi district, who is suspected of buying the crop without a license.
Chigwenembe says this follows another interception four weeks ago, where police seized 48 bales of flu-cured tobacco destined for illegal export.
The Tobacco Commission and Malawi Police are intensifying their anti-illegal tobacco trade monitoring exercise, aimed at curbing the illegal trade and protecting the country’s economy and farmers.
During the opening of this year’s tobacco selling season at Chinkhoma in Kasungu, State President Dr Lazarus Chakwera lamented illegal cross-border tobacco trade, observing that the practice denies the country of forex.
By Romeo Umali & George Mkandawire
