Malawian authorities have busted a drug-smuggling syndicate believed to be linked to a Mexican cartel, marking a significant development in the country’s fight against transnational crime.
Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma said on Monday that seven suspected drug traffickers were arrested at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe in a joint operation in collaboration with US security agencies.
Ching’oma told the media that six suspects were detained upon arrival at the airport on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
A seventh suspect, a Nigerian national based in Lilongwe, was arrested while waiting for the others, he said.
“We have established that these have links to a Mexican drug cartel,” he said.
Investigations are underway to establish further details.
“We are very grateful to the US government for this successful security mission,” Ching’oma added.
Authorities view the arrests as a major breakthrough in efforts to combat drug smuggling networks, reinforcing Malawi’s commitment to tightening security at its borders and disrupting international trafficking operations.
JN/APA