The Kenya government has cracked down on fake gold dealers in the past but they keep coming up.
However, there’s a new wave of real gold smugglers in the country.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), recently, bust a gold smuggling ring.
KRA, in a statement, said that a body search on some 30 women by the multi-agency team found 15 of them carrying 4.88 kilogrammes of undeclared gold and jewellery.
Customs officials believe the women en route to Mumbai are linked to another smuggling attempt foiled in India involving three female travellers two months ago.
KRA said passengers are required by law to declare all cargo/items at the Ports of entry and exit.
“Customs Officers stationed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) last night intercepted approximately 4.88 kilogram of gold and jewellery that was being smuggled after identifying a group of approximately 30 female Kenyan travellers who were departing from Nairobi to Mumbai, India through Doha,” KRA said.
“The travellers are directly associated to three female travellers earlier intercepted entering Mumbai with approximate 1 kg of gold concealed internally on August 19, 2021,” the taxman said.
KRA said the 15 women who were on board the flight were asked to cancel the flight to allow for further investigations.
The intercepted gold and jewellery has been deposited in the Customs warehouse.
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