Detectives have apprehended a man suspected of orchestrating a series of gold smuggling operations to foreign countries.
The man was detained at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday night after being linked to an incident where eight Kenyan women were detained at Mumbai International Airport on suspicion of smuggling 3.6 kilos of gold worth Sh26.4 million.
The women were held on February 23, 2024, after police and customs officials at Mumbai International Airport discovered gold and iPhones allegedly smuggled from a foreign country. The investigation led to the identification of a Nairobi resident, who was subsequently detained by the Customs Department’s Air Intelligence Unit at Mumbai Airport.
Upon being informed of the arrests, Kenyan authorities launched an investigation, resulting in the arrest of a man suspected of being an accomplice to the women.
Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit detained the suspect, linking him to a consignment scheduled to leave the country through JKIA.
The suspect was associated with three boxes ready for shipment to a South African destination, as revealed by documents in the possession of investigators. Further inquiries are ongoing, with authorities seeking additional suspects, including those involved in fake gold dealings.
Gold smuggling through Kenya is a recurring issue, with small consignments occasionally intercepted at foreign airports. Efforts to combat the trend have led to the arrest of numerous individuals involved in fake gold dealings, with cases pending in various courts.
Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin, reaffirmed the commitment to tackling the issue, underscoring the determination of law enforcement agencies to address gold smuggling activities.
