43-year-old
Nigerian national Christian Osingwelen, two Malawian women, Lusungu Mlenga and
Nkhata Bayand Rita Juma have been arrested for drug trafficking.
The trio
were arrested at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) Lilongwe, Malawi for
illegal possession and importation of the dangerous drug called Ephedrin
contrary to section 11 (a) Regulation 19 of Dangerous Drug Act.
Confirming
the arrest, Airport Police Branch Public Relations Office Sapulain Chitonde Lee
told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that police received a tipoff from MRA Officers
working in the arrivals hall that Mlenga,39 is suspected to be collecting a
table with drug concealment.
“Police searched
the table and found packets of unknown powder and later broke one of packet to
see the powder where they found a dangerous drug called EphedrinWe are yet to
finalise interrogating the three to where the drugs were coming from and who
owns it,” said Chitonde.
Chitonde
added that Mlenga received a phone call from an unknown person to collect a
table from the airport, which had gone missing.
He said that
USD2000 and additional MK700, 000.00 was paid as custom clearance for the table
from MRA without knowing what was inside.
"Juma,
33, a girl friend to the Nigerian man received a call from his friend to
collect 1000 USD in town and give it to him at the airport without telling her
the use of the said money.
“The
Nigerian while accepting the statements from his friends is, however, denying
ownership of both the table and the drug, despite giving Mlenga all the money
to clear the table at MRA," said Chitonde.
He further
said MRA officers who handled the matter revealed to the police that Mlenga
tried to bribe them with the said amount taking advantage that they were all
women.
“We are
thanking MRA Officers for being professional when discharging their duties and
tipping them about the three who they managed to get hold of them until police
were informed." he added.
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