By Chisomo Masaiti Chiusiwa

Ntchisi, March 16, Mana:  Police in Ntchisi have arrested 15 people on three counts of being found in possession of charcoal without license, entering into a protected area without permission and conveying weapons.

Spokesperson for Ntchisi police, Sub Inspector Salome Zgambo, confirmed the incident, saying it occurred on Saturday at Fumbati Forest Reserve in the area of Senior Chief Nthondo.

"In a joint operation between police, forestry officials and African Parks, the team raided the forest and arrested the 15 suspects who are aged between 13 and 49," she said.

Zgambo said out of the 15, five are women, aged between 29 and 49.

She said the suspects were found with over 100 bags of charcoal in their temporary shelters and were immediately arrested and had their axes and panga knives seized.

All suspects were taken to Ntchisi police station and will appear before court soon to answer their respective charges.