Police in Mangochi have arrested seven individuals in separate incidents over the past two days for being found in possession of large quantities of suspected stolen diesel without authorization.
In the first incident, police apprehended five people after they were found with approximately 2,230 litres of diesel.
This was followed by the arrest of two more men in a subsequent operation, who were found in possession of an additional 1,360 litres of the fuel.
Mangochi Police Spokesperson Amina Tepani Daudi identified the two recently arrested suspects as 48-year-old Symon Nambazo and 30-year-old Ibrahim Kautanda.
All suspects are expected to be charged with illegal possession of petroleum products, a crime that has become a focus for law enforcement in the region.
The total amount of di