Police in Chipata have arrested several Malawians trading on the streets of Chipata.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner, Alex Chilufya, who confirmed the development to Breeze News, says the foreigners were arrested on Saturday with the help of officers from the Immigration Department so that they can be screened.
Mr. Chilufya says police officers are screening the Malawians to establish those that are conniving with Zambians to stage crime in the area.
He says this follows the recent theft cases where properties stolen from Zambia were discovered in Malawi.
Mr. Chilufya could however not give the actual number of Malawians that have been arrested saying it may jeopardize investigations because operations are still on.
He says those who will be found without legal documents such as border permits will be dealt with accordingly by the Immigration Department.