Malawi Police in partnership with United States of America (USA) agents on Saturday arrested six Mexicans at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe enroute to Mozambique allegedly to set up laboratories for dangerous drugs.
National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya said yesterday that the purported laboratories were expected to be serving as hubs to distribute the drugs to many African countries, including Malawi.
The Nation learnt yesterday that a joint security mission by the USA and Malawi governments resulted in the arrest of the six suspects linked to a Mexican cartel.
Kalaya said they were arrested after disembarking from an Ethiopian Airlines flight around 3.30pm while the seventh, a Nigerian identified as Mike Chukwu, 54, who was welcoming them, was arrested for interfering with security agencies who intercepted the six.
He identified the six as Panfilo Hernandez, 27, Adrian Angulo, 30, Armando Hernadez, 32, Mario Picas, 32, Luiz Armando Ramirez, 44 and Cristhian Jovvany Hernandez, 30.
Said Kalaya: “The US had provided us with information through International Police [Interpol] that the Mexicans are suspected to be part of a syndicate [in their country], involved in production and distribution of drugs.
“They [USA authorities] have information that these people are in the process of establishing drug labs, where they will be producing and distributing drugs to Africa and other countries. So, they were using Malawi as a transit route to Mozambique through Dedza border.”
He said the six are among suspected drug dealers wanted in the US. He said when the USA requested Malawi through Interpol to cooperate on the mission, a US team was also provided to work with local authorities.
Kalaya said initially they had difficulties questioning the suspects due to language barriers, but roped in an interpreter to help.
He said: “Both our team and those from the US are conducting the interviews. If we find them with any case in Malawi, we will act locally. One of them was found with some packets of drugs, which have been sent to a lab for testing.
“If they establish these labs in Mozambique, it is likely that Malawi would be affected. After detaining the six, Chukwu started banging tables, so he was arrested and charged with conduct likely to cause breach of peace and obstructing officers while on duty.”
Minister of Homeland Security Ezekiel Ching’oma said the bust demonstrated the importance of collaboration.
“This is a manifestation of the good relationship between Malawi and the US in combating drugs and other equally important issues,” he said.
Meanwhile, security expert Master Dicks Mfune has said the Malawi and US collaboration can help security agencies to be more effective in homeland security, fighting cross-border crime and counterterrorism and efforts than they would be on their own.
He said the Malawi National Security Strategy underscores the importance of intelligence-driven decision-making, strategic resource allocation, and continuous assessment and adaptation to emerging security dynamics.
“Collaborations with the USA and International Police have significantly bolstered Malawi’s operational effectiveness and resilience in the face of evolving security challenges,” said Mfune.
Malawi’s National Security Strategy stipulates the nation’s approach to safeguarding its security interests. It aims to address threats, both internal and external, and promote the overall well-being and security of the country.
