BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-In an unusual twist on illegal charcoal trafficking, smugglers in Chikwawa over the weekend attempted to disguise their operation as a funeral procession, complete with a coffin and mourners.
The scheme was uncovered at Thabwa Roadblock, where forestry officers intercepted a hearse carrying what appeared to be a coffin.
Upon inspection, the coffin was found empty, concealing loose charcoal that had been loaded in Ngabu.
Deputy Director of Forestry for Zone South, William Mitembe, described the incident as one of the most sophisticated cases of illegal charcoal transport in Malawi’s history.
“The vehicle is a hearse. It traveled to Ngabu, where charcoal was loaded into it. The charcoal was hidden under a green funeral carpet, and on top sat the coffin.
“There were people singing and walking as though it were a real funeral procession,” explains Mitembe .
He said the operation was uncovered after concerned citizens alerted the Chikwawa District Forestry Office about the suspicious convoy.
He said officers inspected the vehicle thoroughly, lifting the coffin and removing the funeral carpet to reveal the hidden charcoal.
Mitembe noted that this case demonstrates the lengths to which illegal charcoal traffickers will go to evade authorities, highlighting the ongoing challenge of combating deforestation and illegal logging in the region.