Crooks use fake funeral trip to smuggle charcoal

Charcoal smugglers have carried out a deceptive funeral procession, complete with a coffin and mourning attire, to illegally transport charcoal from Chikwawa district.

The operation was uncovered over the weekend when forestry officials at Thabwa Roadblock stopped a hearse that was carrying an empty coffin, which was hiding loose charcoal that had been loaded from Ngabu.

William Mitembe, the Deputy Director of Forestry for Zone South, stated that this incident represents the most intricate case of illegal charcoal trafficking in the nation’s history.

“The vehicle in question is a hearse. It traveled to Ngabu where charcoal was loaded into it. The charcoal was concealed with the green carpet typically used during funerals at burial sites, and the coffin was placed on top.”There were individuals singing as if it were a genuine funeral procession, which it was not. This illustrates the complexity of illegal charcoal operations,” Mitembe remarked.

The scheme was thwarted after vigilant citizens alerted the District Forestry Office for Chikwawa regarding the suspicious convoy.Officers conducted a thorough inspection of the vehicle and opened the coffin, only to find it empty.

Upon removing the green funeral carpet, they uncovered loose charcoal filling the hearse.