The Malawi Police Service (MPS) have warned all unscrupulous traders and the individuals who are packaging river sand and selling them to unsuspecting farmers as fertilizer.

According to a statement, signed by national police public relations officer, James Kadadzera, said the malpractice is a serious crime under laws of Malawi.

Reads part of the statement: “Reports have been recorded by Police mainly in the central region of buying sand instead of genuine fertilizer from registered agro-dealers and suppliers.”

According to police, seven individuals have been arrested in Kasungu and Mponela for offering for sale bags of fertilizer suspected to contain counterfeit products.

In addition, the police have also seized 201 bags of Urea and NPK suspected to contain counterfeit products.

The suspects will answer charges of counterfeit trademarks, an offence under the penal code.

Meanwhile, police have assured Malawians and farmers in particular that “it will go to the bottom of this syndicate and that all individuals and companies involved will rightly see the wrath of the law”.