Nine people remain on the run after being caught smuggling charcoal in a hearse.
Authorities said the suspects staged a fake funeral procession to conceal around 30 large bags of charcoal beneath an empty casket.
The haul, valued at 3 million Malawian kwacha ($1,747), was intercepted at a roadblock in Chikwawa, 40 km south of Blantyre.
Forestry officials acted on a tip, uncovering the unusual scheme amid Malawi’s ongoing struggle with widespread deforestation and illegal charcoal trade.
Hector Nkawihe, Chikwawa district forestry officer, said the suspects face up to five years in prison or fines if convicted.
Most Malawians depend on charcoal for cooking, especially as frequent electricity blackouts make alternative energy sources unreliable and scarce.
The suspects were briefly detained but later escaped custody, abandoning the hearse and leaving law enforcement scrambling for their whereabouts.
“They face two charges: illegal possession and transportation of forestry products,” Nkawihe said, underscoring the seriousness of the crime.
A police spokesman confirmed the incident, adding that the suspects remain at large and no formal charges have yet been filed.
Officials warn such smuggling methods are increasingly inventive, reflecting growing pressure on Malawi’s forests and the ingenuity of illicit networks.
