MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-Mangochi Police have arrested four men and a woman for illegal possession of liquid petroleum following an intelligence driven operation conducted on the evening of August 18, 2025.
According to Mangochi Police Spokesperson Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi,the suspects identified as Bizwick Buli,aged 28, Mponda Moffat, 48 years old, Dickson January, 41, Jamilah Nuru, 20, and Chisomo Gondwe, 46 were intercepted during a crackdown on illegal fuel trading around the township.
The operation, led by Mangochi Police Officer-in-Charge Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Limbani Bekete, saw officers mount an ad-hoc roadblock at Villa Tafika Roundabout.
The move followed intelligence reports of fuel smuggling activities threatening both the economy and national security.
During the arrests, police confiscated large volumes of fuel concealed in different vehicles. Buli was caught transporting 650 litres in a Toyota Dyna (MH 11073) hidden beneath groceries.
Moffat was driving an unregistered 5-ton truck carrying 410 litres en route to Makanjira, while his passenger January had 120 litres. Jamilah was found with 50 litres of petrol on a motorcycle, and Gondwe was intercepted with 500 litres of diesel in a Toyota Hilux double cabin (KA 8285 A).
All suspects were heading from the roundabout towards Bakili Muluzi Highway when they were intercepted.
In a related raid, police also busted a black-market dealer within the township and seized 500 litres of fuel, though the owner managed to escape.
The five suspects are in custody and expected to appear in court soon.
According to statistics, Mangochi Police have seized 7,855 litres of fuel since February this year through similar intelligence-led operations.