A 51-year-old man identified as Gabriel Chilunga was arrested by the police in Balaka for allegedly being found in possession of a live pangolin.

According to the district’s Police deputy publicist sergeant Mphatso Munthali, the suspect was found offering for sale the protected species at Mangochi turn-off during the early hours of Thursday.

Some onlookers alerted the men in uniform who rushed to the scene and apprehended the suspect.

Chilunga is expected to appear in court to answer a charge of being found in possession of a listed protected species, which contravenes section 86 of National Parks and Wildlife Act.

He hailed from Chikanda village, Traditional Authority Chikowi in Zomba district.