Police in Malawi are searching for nine suspects who escaped from custody after being caught allegedly smuggling charcoal in a hearse disguised as part of a funeral procession.
Acting on a tip-off, forestry officials intercepted the vehicle at a roadblock near the main city of Blantyre. Inside, they found an empty coffin placed over several bags of charcoal, with an estimated value of $1,700 (£1,200), the Reuters news agency reported.
But a manager from the funeral service told the BBC that the hearse driver was returning from seeing a bereaved family when he bought the bags of fuel that were later confiscated.
The smuggling of charcoal, in high demand for cooking, is widespread in Malawi.
