Police in Mangochi have arrested a 45-year-old man, identified as Ruben Nyalugwe, of Village Nikisi, Traditional Authority Chilipa, Mangochi District, for being found in possession of medical drugs without proper documentation.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of 28 January 2026 at around 13:00 hours at Village Nikisi in the district.
On the said date, police received a tip-off from community members that the suspect, who is not a medical practitioner, was selling medical drugs, and treating patients after disguising the building as a store.
Following the tip-off, a team of detectives rushed to the shop and conducted a search, during which assorted medical drugs and equipment were found.
The suspect was taken into custody after he failed to produce authentic documentation. Surprisingly Nyalugwe also failed to mention the names of the drugs found in his possession prompting the detectives to invite qualified pharmacist from Mangochi District Hospital who assisted in identifying the drugs.
The seized items include five bottles of Benzyl Penicillin, five bottles of depo provera contraceptives, one blister pack of LA, 423 tablets of praziquantel 600mg, 20 tablets of ciprofloxacin, eight tablets of paracheck, two tablets of Metronidazole, and 69 syringes. The total value of the seized items is yet to be established.
The suspect will appear before court to answer charges related to being found in possession of medical drugs and operating a clinic without a licence.
Police in the district are warning members of the public against seeking medical treatment from unlicensed individuals, noting that such practices pose serious health risks.