Malawi Police Arrest a man Who Abandoned 29 Bags of Marijuana, Toyota Carina

Police in Nkhotakota finally arrests a man who has been on the run leaving behind a Carina vehicle which contained 29 bags of Cannabis Sativa

Police Public Relations Officer for Nkhotakota Police Station Williams Kaponda says the man identified as Matambo Gizito Chikwa has since been remanded to Nkhotakota Prison by Nkhotakota Magistrate Court on Thursday.

The officer says Chikwa was arrested in Blantyre on 17th March and is expected to reappear before court on Tuesday March 24, on charges of illegal found in possession of cannabis sativa.

Early this week police in the district reported that in the night of March 11, 2015 the alleged man abandoned a motor vehicle, Toyata Carina registration number NU 5592 at a snap roadblock near Mpondagaga trading centre in the district.

Police said a Toyota carina which was fast approaching at the police check-point stopped all over sudden and the driver ran away leaving the car behind.

A thoroughly check in the abandoned motor-vehicle, police discovered 29 bags of Indian-hemp and a drivers license baring the suspects particulars.

The Nkhotakota Police PRO says suspect Matambo Gizito Chikwa aged 32 who hails from Chikanje village, in Senior Chief Kanyenda area, of Nkhotaota district is exercising the right to remain silent in court.

Man Abandons Vehicle Used for Smuggling 29 Bags of Marijuana In Nkhotakota

Police Launches Manhunt 

Vehicle used for smuggling Marijuana 

A man only being identified by Nkhotakota Police as Matambo Chikwa G, is suspected to have been the driver of the vehicle which was abandoned in the night of 11th March 2015 for fear of being arrested on charges of Possession of illicit herb ‘Cannabis Sativa/Indian Hemp’.

Police in the Central Lake-Shore district of Nkhotakota have confiscated 29 bags of Indian hemp locally know as Chamba in the abandoned motor-vehicle says Police in the district.

According to Nkhotakota Police Station Public Relations Officer Williams Kaponda, the motor-vehicle Toyota Carina saloon type registration number NU 5592 was abandoned in the night of March 11, 2015 after the driver unexpectedly noted a snap roadblock enacted by the police on the M1 road.

The driver he said had all over the sudden saw the police check-point and jumped out of the car and ran away leaving the engine running “A thorough check in the car, police found 29 bags of cannabis sativa systematically fitted in it and a driver’s licenses.” And identified the driver’s license bearing the particulars of Matambo Chikwa G 

The confiscated 29 bags of Indian hemp

“No one has claimed ownership of the motor-vehicle and the drivers’ license but, police are working tirelessly to bring the culprits to book.” Said Kaponda

The Nkhotakota Police PRO has appealed to the general public to report any information related to the abandoned motor-vehicle leading to the arrest of the culprits. 

“People are also asked to refrain from the malpractice (smuggling) to create a crime free Malawi, as the illicit drug fuel criminal actives more especially among the youth.” He pleaded, “It is everyone’s duty to take part in combating the crime in Nkhotakota.” 

The officer further bemoaned that cases related to smuggling of cannabis sativa are rampant in Nkhotakota citing, the year 2014 where police in the district arrested 41 people over illegal possession of Indian hemp among them 28 were convicted.