Nine Suspects Escape After Being Caught Smuggling Charcoal in Hearse with Fake Funeral Procession in Malawi

At least nine people are on the run after Malawian police and forestry officials intercepted them smuggling charcoal hidden inside a hearse disguised as part of a funeral procession.

The bizarre incident occurred in Chikwawa district, about 40 km (25 miles) south of Blantyre, Malawi’s commercial hub.

Acting on a tip-off, forestry officers set up a roadblock and stopped the suspicious “funeral” convoy. Inside the hearse, they discovered an empty casket and 30 large bags of illegally harvested charcoal packed underneath — valued at approximately 3 million Malawian kwacha (about $1,747).

Chikwawa District Forestry Officer Hector Nkawihe told Reuters that the suspects were briefly detained at the scene but escaped custody shortly afterward, leaving the impounded hearse behind.

“They face two charges: illegal possession of forestry products and transportation of the same,” Nkawihe said. If convicted, the suspects could face up to five years in prison or heavy fines.

A police spokesman confirmed the incident to Reuters, stating that the suspects remain at large and have not yet been formally charged.

Charcoal smuggling is widespread in Malawi and is a major contributor to the country’s rampant deforestation. Most households rely on charcoal for cooking due to frequent electricity blackouts and limited access to alternatives.

However, using a hearse and staging a fake funeral procession to transport the illicit cargo is a relatively new and audacious tactic.

The escape has raised questions about custody procedures, with forestry and police authorities now intensifying efforts to track down the suspects.