Cables can confidently reveal that five Bangladesh foreign nationals suspected of being part of a human trafficking and smuggling syndicate have been arrested by Malawi Police at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) after arriving aboard Ethiopian Airlines on Thursday 20 August, 2026.
The suspects are currently at Area 3 police .
The suspected smuggling network is led by Shahid Khalon, pictured who is a Pakistan by nationality alongside Molvi Irfan and Irfan Chohan, who are also foreign nationals.
Shahid is said to be well known in influential circles and has been at the centre of human trafficking activities.
His name has reportedly resurfaced following the recent arrest and extradition of another kingpin of Ethiopian origin, who was sent back to his home country a few weeks ago.
Apart from the human smuggling activities, Shahid is also accused of involvement in organising the kidnappings of Indian nationals and other foreigners, demanding ransom payments.
Sources familiar with the investigations allege that the suspected trafficking and smuggling network has links to some officials stationed at Kamuzu International Airport, including immigration officers, National Intelligence Service (NIS) personnel, police officers and other officials.
The suspects through Shahid Khalon and his network are negotiating with some police officers and immigration officials to be released silently .
The Malawi police and immigration officials are silent on the matter .
The latest arrests come months after Cables exposed what it described as a sophisticated human trafficking and migrant smuggling network operating through Kamuzu International Airport.
Previous Cables investigations alleged that foreign nationals were being facilitated through KIA with the assistance of individuals drawn from various security and immigration agencies. The network was allegedly involved in moving nationals from countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ethiopia and Somalia, with some reportedly using Malawi as a transit point to other destinations in the region.
In earlier reports, Cables also reported the arrests of suspected trafficking kingpins Rizwan Farook Akbar and Bahar Samstudin Sarker, who were accused of facilitating the movement of Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals through KIA. The publication further reported allegations linking the suspected network to abductions and ransom-related activities. Questions later emerged over the fate of some suspects after their arrests, amid allegations that powerful individuals and security officials may have been connected to the wider network.
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