Four people have been arrested in Nkhotakota district for allegedly, stealing 2000 bags of washing powder soap, valued at 36 Million Kwacha, from a vehicle which was involved in a road accident Thursday, at Chiya Trade Center.

District Police Spokesperson , Sergeant Paul Malimwe, says the four, include the driver of the vehicle, Sande Makombe, 42, who is a Tanzanian, Martin Phiri aged 36, Lukasi Katemba , 28 and 37 year old Felix Matemba.

He said Makombe , was driving the vehicle which had 20 tons of the washing powder soap , when the truck overtuned after failing to negotiate a corner.

According to Sergeant Malimwe, some thieves stole all bags of soap from the vehicle.

The arrested suspects , including the driver, purportedly hired a three tonner lorry to smuggle 93 bags of the soap only to be arrested by some police officers, as the four were offering to sell 23 bags.