A Rwandan national, Emmanuel Ahorukomeye, and eight Malawian nationals have been arrested in Dowa District for allegedly participating in a series of criminal activities within the district.

Dowa police spokesperson Alice Sitima said the suspects were arrested following a planned operation conducted by the law enforcers.

Sitima said among the suspects, three were charged with operating businesses that involved the purchase of farm produce without the appropriate licenses.

“One person was detained for the illegal storage of liquid fuel and the remaining suspects were arrested for various offenses, such as found in possession of cannabis, distribution of counterfeit products, and the use of uncertified scales,” Sitima added.

The suspects are of between 18 and 45 years old.

In addition to the arrests, the operation led to the confiscation of seventeen scales, which are suspected of not being certified by the Malawi Bureau of Standards.