Sunday night, immigration officers were heading to Mzuzu from Karonga and on arrival in Chiweta they intercepted a 3-toner tana Lorry that carried 19 Ethiopians suspected to be illegal immigrants.

After Interrogating the suspecting aliens and upon failure to produce relevant documents the 19 were arrested and their vehicle impounded.

However, upon reaching Mchenga area in the district, a group of villagers from the area blocked the M1 Road overpowering the officers and aided the Ethiopians to escape.

The matter was then reported to Rumphi police who jointly with immigration officers raided the area on a door-to-door search where they discovered the immigrants hiding in the house of Ruth Magesi who was later arrested while the husband escaped.

Rumphi Police Public Relations Officer Henry Mnjere told Zodiak that the 19 have since been charged with illegal entry into the country, while the woman has been charged with aiding and abetting illegal immigrants.

"I can confirm that Sunday we had a joint operation with Immigration officials, the 19 have been charged with the offence entering into the country without a permit, the woman will be answering the charge of aiding and abetting illegal immigrants," said Mnjere

Police say investigations are still underway to trace and arrest other perpetrators connected to the matter.

Ruth Magesi comes from Mwandukuti village, Traditional Authority Mwalweni in Rumphi.