The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted gold worth Ksh100 million at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. The gold is alleged to have been in the custody of a 46-year-old Tanzanian man, who was seized by KRA Customs officers and a team of security agencies attached at the airport.
At least 32,255.50 grams of gold bars and an accompanying invoice of USD859,890, worth approximately Ksh100 million, were found in his possession.
The suspect was seized following intelligence alert; he had arrived at JKIA at 15:05hrs, on Friday 16th, February, aboard Precision Airlines from Mwanza via Kilimanjaro and was heading to Dubai aboard Kenya Airways.
A team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation accompanied by Revenue Protection Service Officers from KRA’s Investigation and Enforcement Department, took statements from the suspect.
The transportation of gold is contrary to provisions of the East Africa Community, Customs Management Act 2004 Section 85(3) and Second Schedule Part B(4). This section of the law restricts the transiting of unwrought precious metals and precious stones across the region.
The gold bars are now under the custody of KRA, Customs and Border Control; investigations are being carried out to get to the details of the case. “KRA continues to put in more relentless measures and remains vigilant in stepping up the fight against smuggling at points of entry, said the commissioner for Customs and Border control.
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