Police in Malawi are searching for nine suspects who escaped from custody after allegedly being caught smuggling charcoal in a hearse disguised as part of a funeral procession.
Forestry officials, acting on a tip-off, intercepted the vehicle at a roadblock near the commercial city of Blantyre. Inside the hearse, officials discovered an empty coffin placed over several bags of charcoal valued at around $1,700 (£1,200),
However, a manager from the funeral service involved told the driver was returning from visiting a bereaved family when he purchased the charcoal that was later confiscated.
Charcoal smuggling is widespread in Malawi, where demand for the fuel remains high due to limited access to electricity.
William Mitembe, a forestry official, told local media that the operation was “the most complex illegal charcoal trafficking case in the country’s history”.
Another forestry official, Hector Nkawihe, told Reuters that around 30 bags of charcoal were seized during the routine roadblock in Chikwawa district, about 40km (25 miles) south of Blantyre. The bags had been concealed beneath an empty coffin.
In an interview with the BBC, the manager of the funeral service offered a different account of events.
Patrick Dimba said the hearse driver had been sent to a family carrying two coffins so they could choose one. The driver was returning with the unused, empty coffin when he bought 11 bags of charcoal. Dimba added that there were no passengers in the hearse when it was stopped at the checkpoint.
Despite this explanation, a police spokesperson told Reuters that nine suspects are still at large and have not yet been formally charged.
Nkawihe said the suspects had initially been detained but later escaped from custody, leaving behind the impounded hearse.
“They face two charges of illegal possession of forestry products and transportation of the same,” he said.
If convicted, the suspects could face up to five years in prison or be fined.
Malawi’s illegal charcoal trade is a major contributor to deforestation, with most households relying on charcoal for cooking because of frequent electricity blackouts.
Last month, Malawi’s energy regulator raised petrol and diesel prices by more than 40%, marking the second fuel price hike in four months.
President Peter Mutharika, who returned to power last year, has been attempting to revive the country’s struggling economy.
