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Malawi Launches Search for Suspects in Fake Funeral Charcoal Smuggling
Nine suspects fled after being caught smuggling 30 bags of charcoal worth about 3 million Malawian kwacha in a hearse, facing up to five years in prison or fines.
- Acting on a tip-off, forestry officers in Chikwawa district intercepted a hearse at a roadblock on Monday and found about 30 bags of charcoal concealed under an empty coffin, but at least nine suspects fled custody.
- Charcoal smuggling is common in Malawi and has become a main cause of rampant deforestation as most households rely on charcoal for cooking due to frequent electricity blackouts.
- Funeral service manager Patrick Dimba said the hearse driver was sent to a family with two coffins, bought 11 bags of charcoal on his return, and had no passengers when stopped.
- They face two charges of illegal possession and transportation of forestry products, and if found guilty, the suspects face up to five years in prison or fines.
- Media coverage from Reuters and the BBC noted forestry official William Mitembe called the operation the 'most complex illegal charcoal trafficking case in the country's history' amid the fake funeral procession method.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Forest service employees stopped the "funeral" and inside the hearse they found an empty coffin and underneath, about 30 large bags of charcoal, with a total value of about 1800 euros.
Hearse Heist: Charcoal Smugglers Escape Malawi Police in Fake Funeral | Science-Environment
In Malawi, nine individuals used a hearse in a fake funeral to smuggle charcoal. This method aimed to evade detection amid prevalent deforestation issues. Forestry officers intercepted the illegal transport, uncovering 30 bags worth 3 million kwacha. The suspects managed to escape, facing legal consequences if caught.
Fake Funeral Busted – Charcoal Smugglers Use Coffin to Hide Illegal Cargo
Authorities in Chikwawa have uncovered a shocking charcoal smuggling scheme in which traffickers staged a fake funeral procession to transport illegal charcoal. Forestry officers intercepted a hearse at the Thabwa Roadblock over the weekend after receiving a tip from concerned citizens about a suspicious convoy S in a coaster written Serenity Funeral Services. . Inside […] The post Fake Funeral Busted – Charcoal Smugglers Use Coffin to Hide Ille…
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Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center, 40% of the sources lean Right
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