The Ministry of Trade, in the wee hours of Friday, foiled a suspected smuggling of 300 bales of Malawi sugar into Zambia by one foreign national.

Writing on his official page, responsible minister Vitumbiko Mumba says the suspect has been taken into police custody following a tip-off from well-wishers.

"At 2am this morning we managed to apprehend one of "mabale athu" who is suspected to be at the centre of smuggling sugar to Zambia. He has since been taken to Police," said Mumba.

Mumba says smugglers of sugar are taking the commodity into Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, where the price of sugar per bale is selling at K95,000 more than the local market price of K57,500 per bale.

"You see, production of sugar is in full swing after weeks of delays due to prolonged wet season. That takes out one of the two major reasons why sugar has been scarce on the market," he added.

While disclosing that sugar production is in full swing after weeks of delays, Mumba says smuggling and hoarding of the commodity remain the challenge.

"Interestingly, some of those that are culprits are trying to fight back by reporting to the Police when our officers pounce on them. Unfortunately, they are punching blows in the dark."