Zimbabwean nabbed at SA airport with smuggled gold pieces worth R11m

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A 33-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Kempton Park regional court on Monday after being arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport with 23 pieces of gold — worth an estimated R11m — in his luggage.

A 33-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Kempton Park regional court on Monday after being arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport with 23 pieces of gold — worth an estimated R11m — in his luggage.

The Hawks seized the gold pieces for further investigation after airport arrest

The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team made the arrest on Saturday, after the man, who was travelling from Zimbabwe, was requested to scan his luggage at the SA Revenue Service’s custom section at international arrivals, police said in a statement.

9 MAY 2021, ALLEGED SMUGGLER NABBED WITH GOLD AT OR TAMBO

The preliminary investigation by the Hawks revealed that the suspect travelled from Harare, Zimbabwe to Johannesburg, South Africa. The 23 pieces of gold worth R11 million were seized for further investigation. pic.twitter.com/JVsjsvriak

— MEC Faith Mazibuko (@FaithMazibukoSA) May 9, 2021

“He allegedly failed to declare any items and did not have any permits or licences to be in possession or transport gold and the Hawks were called to effect the arrest and conduct further investigation.”

Cash found on the gold smuggling suspect by South African authorities

The preliminary investigation by the Hawks revealed that the suspect travelled from Harare in Zimbabwe to Johannesburg. The 23 pieces of gold were seized for further investigation. – TimesLIVE