Police in Mbeya Region have arrested several suspects in separate operations linked to mobile phone loan fraud, drug trafficking and a murder allegedly arising from a family land dispute.
The Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Benjamin Kuzaga, said on Tuesday that two men were being held for allegedly tampering with the systems used by mobile phone lending companies, enabling borrowers to evade repayment.
The suspects were identified as Charles Oden Mwakasege (32), a mobile phone technician and resident of Meta area in Mbeya City, and Isack Charles, also known as “Bebwa”, a resident of Shewa.
They were arrested during a police operation conducted from January 27, 2026, in various parts of the region.
SACP Kuzaga said the suspects allegedly modified mobile phones obtained on loan from digital lending companies by removing tracking and control systems installed on the devices, undermining the companies’ ability to recover their money.
A search conducted at the suspects’ premises led to the seizure of several mobile phones, including Samsung A53, Infinix 21, Tecno 13, Itel 11 and Yas 1. Police also recovered phone-flashing and software manipulation equipment, among them Infinix Box Dongle CM2, JTAG Adapter ISP 4bit, F64 Flash Ultra Box, Easy JTAG Plus Box and UFI Box, as well as three laptops.
In another operation, police arrested four suspects over alleged drug trafficking involving bhang weighing 45 kilogrammes and 785 grammes.
The suspects were named as Wilfred Komba (24), a first-year student at Iringa University, Lenad Shamba (21) from Tarime, James Mwakalebela (26) from Kyela, and Joseph Mkwara (26).
According to the police, the suspects were arrested at different times while transporting the narcotic drugs in bags, with investigations indicating that the bhang had been smuggled into the country from a neighbouring state.
Meanwhile, Mbeya Police are also holding three members of the same family in connection with the killing of an 87-year-old woman.
The suspects are Solomon Mwambyale (68) and his two sons, Stephano Mwaisango (32) and Emmanuel Mwaisango (36).
SACP Kuzaga said the trio is accused of killing Jenti Segelela, who was Solomon’s sister-in-law. The victim was allegedly attacked with a sharp object to the head before the suspects fled the scene.
Preliminary investigations suggest the killing was motivated by a longstanding family land dispute and an alleged attempt to unlawfully acquire property.
Police said investigations into all the cases were ongoing and the suspects would be arraigned in court upon completion of inquiries.