By Grecium Gama:
Police in the South East Region have arrested two individuals—a Mozambican businessman and Malawi national—for illegal possession and attempted smuggling of petroleum products into Mozambique.
In Mulanje, officers at Muloza Border Post apprehended 53-year-old Mozambique national Fadweck Thomas after he was allegedly found with 600 litres of diesel in his vehicle.
South East Region police spokesperson Edward Kabango said the fuel was being transported without any supporting document.
“We, therefore, arrested the suspects after officers received a tip-off during routine patrols. The suspect was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser with Mozambican registration number MMS 93-48.
“Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered three drums of diesel concealed under a lawnmower.
The suspect failed to produce documents authorising possession or exportation of the fuel,” Kabango said.
He said Thomas was immediately taken into custody and has been charged with illegal possession of petroleum products and attempting to export them without a permit.
The suspect is expected to appear in court after the Easter holiday.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Phalombe, police arrested 32-year-old Boniface Kasoti from Nthenda Village, Traditional Authority Chiwalo, for a similar offence.
Phalombe Police Station spokesperson Jimmy Kapanja said Kasoti was intercepted on April 18, 2025, in Kolowiko area, near the Likangala Border Post.
Kapanja said he was riding a motorcycle loaded with 15 jerrycans, each containing 20 litres of petrol — amounting to 300 litres in total — without proper authorisation.
“He was attempting to cross into Mozambique when officers stopped him during patrols. Like the first suspect, he had no documentation to justify possession or transportation of the fuel,” Kapanja said.
Kasoti is in custody and will appear in court soon to answer charges of illegal possession and attempted externalisation of petroleum products.
Police have since issued a stern warning to filling station operators and individuals against selling or transporting fuel in unauthorised containers, stressing that such actions are criminal and will be met with legal consequences.
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