National Police Spokesperson, Peter Kalaya without quantifying the confiscated illicit substance, has told Zodiak on Monday that 91 were arrested in police checkpoints, while 18 others were found cultivating the illicit plant.

Kalaya says they recorded the 109 cases of the marijuana in police roadblocks and also through tip-offs from the citizenry.

"Between January and October this year we have managed to register 109 cases of illegal possession and cultivation of Indian hemp. Most of the cases that we registered of possessing of Chamba were those we impounded in the roadblocks," he said.

As a measure to counter the vice, Drug Fight Malawi Executive Director, Nelson Zakeyu suggests the provision of the alternative source of income to the communities in hotspots.

Zakeyu argues that the people are lured into the business by the high-profile individuals due to poverty.

"Sometimes these villagers are being engaged by high profile people. So, what is needed is probably to provide some alternatives to those people that are cultivating Cannabis Sativa so that they can get income," Zakeyu suggested.

Malawi legalised the cultivation of industrial hemp in 2020 while Cannabis Sativa also known as Chamba remains prohibited.