Three arrested for repacking and selling underweight fertiliser in Nchelenge

Police in Nchelenge District have arrested three people for allegedly repacking and selling underweight fertilizer meant for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). ‎ The trio were apprehended around 02:00 hours on September 11, 2026, following a tip‑off from a member of the…

Police in Nchelenge District have arrested three people for allegedly repacking and selling underweight fertilizer meant for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

‎ The trio were apprehended around 02:00 hours on September 11, 2026, following a tip‑off from a member of the public that some individuals were repacking and selling suspected underweight fertilizer in the Kafimbwa area of Chief Kambwali in Nchelenge District.

‎  Luapula Province Commanding Officer Lucky Munkondya has confirmed the development, identifying the suspects as Japhet Biala, 26, a Depot Manager at Champion Agro World’s Nchelenge Depot; Kabeke Darius, 22, a motorbike rider of Dyson Village; and Mubanga Gregory, 23, also a motorbike rider from Kabosha Village.

‎ Ms Munkondya stated that police recovered more than 100 bags of Compound D fertilizer and over 200 bags of Urea fertilizer, all suspected to have been repacked into underweight bags.

‎ She said the fertilizer, which belongs to United Capital Fertilizer, was seized and taken to Nchelenge Police Station for further investigations.

‎”On August 28, 2026, Biala received a consignment of 797 bags of 50-kilogramme Urea fertilizer intended for FISP. It is alleged that Biala, together with his accomplices, subsequently unpacked the fertilizer and repacked it into additional bags of reduced weight, which were sold to local farmers for cash,” Ms Munkondya said.

‎ The Police Commissioner said the suspects are in police custody while investigations into the matter are ongoing.