By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, March 24, Mana: In an effort to combat illegal fuel vending in Chitipa District, Chitipa Police have confiscated 1,200 litres of petrol and arrested one suspect for being in possession of fuel in jerry cans without proper documents.

In an interview, Chitipa Police Spokesperson, Sub-Inspector Gladwell Simwaka, said the law enforcers have intensified operations in the district, resulting in the arrest of Watwivwa Kayola aged 41 while others are at large.

“Kayola was found with over 400 litres of Petrol in jerry cans without proper documents. We also confiscated over 600 litres of Petrol in jerry cans at the Ilomba (Mbilima) border, as the owner attempted to smuggle it out to Tanzania,” Simwaka explained.

He further said the suspects at Ilomba are at large adding they dumped their motorcycles after noticing police officers were after them.

“We are hunting for the Ilomba suspects,” he said.

Simwaka disclosed that Kayola will appear in court soon to answer charges of illegal possession of petroleum products.

He then warned individuals against engaging in illegal fuel vending, saying police will continue to intensify operations across the district.

Kayola hails from Ishalikira village in the area of Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa district.