Man Arrested at JKIA for Smuggling Sh26.4m Gold to Foreign Countries

In February, Kenyan authorities collaborated with their Indian counterparts in apprehending Sadia Mohammed Ali at Mumbai International Airport.

Sadia, suspected of smuggling gold worth Sh26.4 million into India, had arrived from Nairobi two days prior. Mumbai police and customs officials discovered the undisclosed gold shipment during a routine inspection. Detained alongside eight other individuals, Sadia is currently under investigation for various offences, including smuggling eight kilograms of gold and five iPhones from an unnamed foreign nation.

The investigation took a significant turn on Monday night when Kenyan authorities, acting on a tip-off, conducted a raid in Nairobi. They apprehended a man suspected of being Sadia's accomplice. This individual, whose name remains undisclosed, was allegedly linked to a shipment of 402 kilograms of gold destined for a South African country, scheduled to depart that very night from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Investigators discovered documents confirming the gold was already loaded onto a private jet, poised for departure. This incident adds to a series of previous discoveries of smuggled gold shipments in Istanbul, Brussels, and the United Arab Emirates. As of press time, authorities continue their pursuit of individuals involved in this complex international smuggling ring. Gold smuggling presents a persistent challenge for Kenyan authorities. While smaller shipments are often intercepted at foreign airports, the issue goes deeper. Kenyan officials are actively working to contain the problem on multiple fronts.

One concerning trend involves international investors becoming victims of elaborate gold scams. To address this, Kenyan law enforcement has conducted successful operations, apprehending numerous individuals involved in selling counterfeit gold within the country. These suspects now face prosecution. Furthermore, authorities are urging foreign investors to exercise caution. They advise seeking guidance from both their Kenyan embassy and the Ministry of Mining before engaging in any gold-related financial transactions.

Mohamed Amin, Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, has emphasized the agency's strong commitment to tackling this issue effectively.