Malawi police are on the hunt for nine suspects who escaped custody after allegedly using a hearse to smuggle charcoal, disguising it as a funeral procession.
The vehicle was intercepted at a roadblock near Blantyre, with 30 bags of charcoal worth $1,700 found hidden beneath an empty coffin.
The suspects, who were briefly detained, later escaped, leaving behind the impounded hearse.
The incident highlights the rampant illegal charcoal trade in Malawi, a major driver of deforestation.
Most Malawians rely on charcoal for cooking due to frequent electricity blackouts. If caught, the suspects face up to five years in prison or fines.
The forestry official, William Mitembe, described the operation as the “most complex illegal charcoal trafficking case in the country’s history”.
The hearse driver claimed he bought the charcoal on his way back from a family visit, but authorities remain skeptical.
