By Pickson Chipeso

Lilongwe, May 1, Mana: Police in Mangochi have arrested a 31-year-old man for being found in possession of forest produce without proper documentation.

According to Mangochi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Amina Tepani Daud, the suspect, identified as Mark Yusuf of Chomba Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi, was apprehended on April 30, 2025, around 10:30 am within the township.

Daud said a team of Mangochi Police officers conducting day patrols on the said date received a tip-off that the suspect was offloading bags of charcoal at his compound.

"Acting on the information, the officers proceeded to the identified house, where they discovered 212 bags of charcoal and 27 pieces of timber.

"The Department of Forestry was immediately alerted and joined the police in the operation. The forest produce was seized, and the suspect taken into custody," She said.

Daud said the suspect is expected to appear in court soon to answer a charge of possessing forest produce without documentation, contrary to the country’s forestry regulations.